WRITTEN QUESTION E-0649/04 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Roma people in Slovakia.
Date: 2004-03-08
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Roma, Slovakia, human rights, social policy, social-security benefit

C 88 E/198

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

dossier’, organised by the current Israeli Health Minister, involving documents obtained by the Israeli army
during the building of the illegal and shameful wall designed to reduce the extent of Palestinian territory
and isolate the inhabitants of the West Bank from Palestine. What is the significance of the alleged activity
of OLAF in this very confused situation? Have the Commission’s services already responded to these
reports, which appear to be designed to spread political poison precisely at the moment when there is talk
of the Government of Israel appearing before the Hague court with regard to the building of the wall, and
likewise talk of Prime Minister Sharon’s own problems with the Israeli courts?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 April 2004)

The Honourable Member should refer to the Commission’s answer to Written Question E-0559/04 from
Mario Borghezio (1).

The Commission would also like to inform the Honourable Member that the European Anti-Fraud Office,
is investigating suspicions of possible misuse of Community funds allocated in the form of
OLAF,
budgetary support for the functioning of the Palestinian Authority and has also opened an investigation
into the financing of humanitarian and development projects mounted by Palestinian organisations and
associations.

(1) See page 193.

(2004/C 88 E/0204)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0649/04

by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 March 2004)

Subject: Roma people in Slovakia

Has the Commission noted the measures adopted by the Slovakian Government to cut the social security
entitlements of local Roma people and the consequent unrest,
in Trhoviste, and does the
Commission consider the human rights policy of the Slovakian Government to be in accordance with the
policy required of an EU Member State?

‘inter alia’

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(21 April 2004)

The Commission has noted the introduction of a new social benefit system in Slovakia that has led to a
significant reduction of the social benefit payments since the beginning of March 2004. It has also been
concerned about the Roma unrest and looting in Eastern Slovakia.

In general, the Commission obviously rejects the use of any kind of violence as a way of making social or
any other claims. The Commission has been in contact with the Slovak authorities on this issue and has
expressed its hope that the Slovak Government will urgently use all the means at its disposal to reach a
reasonable and measured outcome to this sensitive issue. Particular attention should be given to ease the
hardship of the poorest sectors of the population which are likely to suffer most from the reduction of the
benefits. Job opportunities should be enhanced in the poorest parts of the country and in Eastern Slovakia
in particular. In this context, the Commission welcomes a 14-point paper presented recently by the Slovak
Government on ways to improve the situation of the most disadvantaged citizens, particularly Roma. The
Slovak authorities have also reassured the Commission that they will closely monitor police behaviour in
the east of the country.

The Commission is determined to support the Slovak authorities as far as it can to solve this issue as soon
as possible.