WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/04 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The mass detention of Eritrean evangelical Christians.
Date: 2004-03-15
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cotonou Agreement, EU relations, Eritrea, church-State relations, freedom of religious beliefs, religious discrimination, right to justice

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/539

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The conference hosted by the Honourable Member certainly has contributed to a very useful reflection on
the current design of agri-environment measures and possible approaches for their future evolution. The
Commission has taken note of the points raised during the conference, including the critical remarks. In
the case of measures with such a broad uptake under a great variety of objectives and regional/local
conditions it is to be expected that weaknesses can occur and be observed.

1.
Agri-environmental payments are granted for voluntary commitments going beyond ‘good farming
practice’. The reference level of ‘good farming practices’ represents at least statutory requirements with
which farmers are expected to comply without being paid. The current basis for agri-environmental
payments is article 24 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural
development from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and
repealing certain Regulations. Agri-environment payments are calculated on the basis of income foregone,
additional costs resulting from the commitment given by a farmer, and (cid:1) where deemed necessary to
facilitate a sufficient uptake of the measure by the farmers (cid:1) an incentive element covering transaction
costs. These calculations reflect average cost/income situations in an area covered by a programme and not
the situation in an individual holding.

The Commission considers its agri-environment policy as a reasonable and justifiable way of
2.
encouraging the provision of public goods in the field of the environment by farmers. Basing agri-
environmental payments on the above described principle of calculation of farmers’ costs incurred/income
foregone allows a desired outcome to be achieved with respect to the delivery of public goods at lowest
cost. Weaknesses and difficulties in the practical
implementation identified are at present under
examination and the Commission will, on this basis, make appropriate proposals for the future design of
agri-environment in the framework of Rural Development.

3.
The principle is in full compliance with World Trade Organisation agreements regarding support
under the Green Box. Any envisaged change in approach has to be carefully considered against this
background.

(2004/C 88 E/0551)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0815/04

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: The mass detention of Eritrean evangelical Christians

Is the Commission aware of the persecution which is taking place in Eritrea towards evangelical Christians?
In a recent crackdown by the Eritrean authorities 51 evangelical Christians were arrested, this brings the
total to an estimated 347 citizens arrested and imprisoned across nine locations in Eritrea because of their
religious beliefs.

In Eritrea only Orthodox, Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Muslim faiths are recognised as official
religions, all others are ‘illegal’. Subsequently, since May 2002 all Eritrean evangelical churches have been
forced to shut and the meeting for worship in public places and even private homes has been banned. In
keeping with the European Union’s belief that the freedom to practice peacefully ones religion without
persecution is a fundamental universal human right, it is clear that the Eritrean Government are in gross
breach of those human rights.

What action does the Commission propose to take to ensure the release of all 347 Eritrean religious
prisoners? Furthermore, what actions can it take to create greater tolerance towards different religions in
Eritrea and the removal of the ban on all so-called unofficial religions?

C 88 E/540

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2004)

The Commission is aware that persecution based on religious belief is taking place in Eritrea. It recalls that
the Eritrean Constitution provides for freedom of religion. However, the Government restricts this right in
practice. Only the four government-sanctioned religious groups in the country (cid:1) Orthodox Christians,
Muslims, Catholics, and members of the Evangelical Church of Eritrea (which is affiliated with the Lutheran
World Federation) (cid:1) are allowed to meet freely.

In May 2002, the Minister of Information issued a decree that all religious groups should be registered,
however this did not apply for the four sanctioned groups. Other groups were warned that, until the
registration applications were approved, no religious activities or services could be held. No authorizations
have been granted so far.

Since then, according to various reports received, persecution has intensified. The Government harassed,
arrested, and detained members of non-sanctioned Protestant
religious groups locally referred to
collectively as ‘Pentes’, reform movements from and within the Coptic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and
adherents of the Baha’i Faith. The reports mention that on occasion police physically mistreated those
detained, and that some detainees were required to sign statements repudiating their faith or agreeing not
to practice it as a condition for release. Reportedly, these events involved hundreds of individuals.

Members of Jehovah’s Witnesses seem to be particularly targeted, because of their refusal to perform duties
under the National Service. Many were evicted from or not allowed to occupy government-owned housing,
denied passports and exit visas and some had their identity cards refused or revoked. At the end of 2003,
Jehovah’s Witnesses reportedly remained in detention without charge.
an estimated 11 members of
National service is compulsory in Eritrea for all males between 18 and 45 and all females between 18 and
28 and the Government does not provide non-military alternatives.

in
The Commission agrees that the above constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights and,
coordination with Member States, closely follows developments. This issue will be discussed in the
framework of the political dialogue foreseen by Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement. The dialogue re-
started in 2003, after a period of suspension following the crackdown on political opposition and the
media at the end of 2001. During a first phase it proved to be difficult to table the sensitive political
issues. However, a second phase is about to start. The European Union has been assured that it will be
possible to discuss civil, political, religious, economic, social and cultural rights.

(2004/C 88 E/0552)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0821/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(15 March 2004)

Subject: Signing of the Agadir Agreement

The free trade agreement between Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco was signed on 25 February 2004 in
the presence of Commissioner Chris Patten. It is known as the Agadir Agreement, in reference to the
political declaration of intent issued by these countries in Agadir in May 2001. The agreement is part of
the broader objective of partnership between the EU and the countries on the shore of the Mediterranean,
envisaged in the Barcelona process launched in 1995, with a view to creating a pan-Euro-Mediterranean
free-trade area by 2010.

In this context, can the Commission say what impact it thinks the process will have on Community
products of a specifically Mediterranean nature, particularly in Portugal? More specifically, what does it
think the impact will be on the fruit and vegetable sector and the canning industry,
including fish
(sardines, tuna, etc.), particularly in Portugal?