WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2308/97 by Heidi HAUTALA to the Council. Health risks of silicone implants
3. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 102/25 The ancient city of Haskif (Hasankeyf) was their centre and is in danger of being buried under mud once the dam at Lusu › being built by Turkey to which the region belongs › is completed. Turkey, however, is a signatory to the international UNESCO Conventions (of Granada and Malta) on the protection of antiquities. What measures will the Commission take to protect the antiquities of this region? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1997) The Commission shares the Honourable Member’s concern about the threat to the ancient city of Haskif (Hasankeyf) once construction of the dam at Lusu is completed. The Commission recalls that Turkey, like all signatories of United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization conventions, has specific obligations as to the protection of antiquities. The Commission, therefore, expresses the wish that the Turkish authorities have undertaken all appropriate measures to ensure the protection of this important archaeological site and its preservation for future generations. Furthermore, the Commission has raised the issue in its regular contacts with the Turkish authorities. (98/C 102/37) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2308/97 by Heidi Hautala (V) to the Council (18 July 1997) Subject: Health risks of silicone implants According to recent research silicone implants inserted to increase the size of womenís breasts may leak silicone into the body, which can result in serious damage to health. Silicone is also thought to migrate to the foetus in pregnant women, with serious consequences. In the USA a number of court cases with far-reaching implications are under way against the manufacturers of silicone implants, which may result in the authorities banning such implants. Is the Council aware of the serious damage to health caused by silicone, and in particular of the claims that silicone may migrate to other parts of the body and to the foetus? Is the Council considering measures to tighten the product liability of silicone implant manufacturers? Does the Council intend to ban them? Answer (17 November 1997) The question to which the Honourable Member refers has not yet been submitted to the Council. At this stage, the Honourable Member could apply to the Commission to ascertain whether it intends to take up that question. (98/C 102/38) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2318/97 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Council (18 July 1997) Subject: The humanitarian situation of prisoners in Morocco Is the Netherlands Presidency of the Council aware of the degrading humanitarian conditions in which 1. prisoners are kept in Morocco? Has the Netherlands Presidency considered holding consultations with the Moroccan Government with a 2. view to improving humanitarian conditions for prisoners in Moroccan prisons?