WRITTEN QUESTION No. 152/98 by Leonie van BLADEL to the Commission. Rape of young remand prisoners in the Czech Republic
17. 7. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 223/127 The Commission considers that it was necessary to extend this derogation as consultations are currently underway between the Community and the United States on the provisions of the 1983 agreement, particularly improved protection of geographical indications and oenological processes. (1) OJ L 84, 27. 3. 1987. (2) OJ L 353, 24. 12. 1997. (98/C 223/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0152/98 by Leonie van Bladel (UPE) to the Commission (2 February 1998) Subject: Rape of young remand prisoners in the Czech Republic Is the Commission aware that in the Czech Republic prisoners are held on remand for excessively long 1. periods (sometimes more than two years)? Is the Commission aware that in the Czech Republic more than thirty remand prisoners are sometimes held 2. in an area of some 40 square metres? Does the Commission realize that remand prisoners in the Czech Republic include youths of less than 3. 15 years of age? Does the Commission realize that these children held in crowded cells are regularly the victims of rape 4. (including gang rape) by adult remand prisoners? Is the Commission aware that these rape victims run a high risk of becoming infected with HIV and thus, in 5. effect, suffering the death sentence? Can the Commission begin talks with the Czech authorities with a view to putting an end to this repugnant 6. situation? Is the Commission prepared to give the Czech authorities financial support in order to put an end to this 7. abuse as soon as possible? Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1998) The Commission is aware of the situation in Czech prisons. The Commission continues to monitor closely the developments in the candidate countries of central and eastern Europe in order to ensure that upon accession they fulfil the criteria for membership which have been established by the European Council of Copenhagen in June 1993. The Community assists the candidate countries in preparing for membership through its pre-accession strategy, in which the Phare programme plays a central role. From 1998 on the Phare programming will be based on the priorities which the Commission has identified in the opinions on the candidate countries which it published in July 1997. These priorities are spelled out in the accession partnerships which the Commission has completed for each candidate country in February 1998. The limited funds available and the need to select priorities from among a large number of relevant projects proposed for financing explain why currently no Phare funds are envisaged for financing of activities in Czech prisons. It is possible, however, for non-governmental organisations to apply for financing of projects relating to the rights of prisoners under the European initiative for democracy and human rights. The Commission will bring the matter to the attention of the Czech authorities