WRITTEN QUESTION No. 789/99 by Graham MATHER The Falkland Islands - EU funding
3. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 348/133 Five types of beer and one cheese have already been registered under Article 13(1), while no designations have yet been registered under Article 13(2). (1999/C 348/182) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0776/99 by Thomas Megahy (PSE) to the Commission (29 March 1999) Subject: Persecution of a religious minority in Iran In view of recent events, as well as the context of long-standing extreme harassment in which they took place, would the Commission consider raising, in its negotiations with the Iranian authorities in the new situation created by the disavowing of the fatwah against Mr Salman Rushdie, the position of the Baha’i and other religious minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran? In the last few months, at least 36 faculty members of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education have been arrested, two members of the community have been sentenced to death, over 500 homes have been raided, and personal property, as well as BIHE equipment, has been removed. More than 200 Baha’i have been killed since 1980 because of their beliefs. Baha’i are routinely denied their constitutional rights and are subject to confiscation of property and denial of pension rights. Baha’i cemeteries and holy places are repeatedly desecrated. Baha’i are denied access to normal university education, which is why the BIHE was established. What action is the Commission prepared to take in defence of the human rights of the Iranian Baha’i people? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (16 April 1999) The Commission follows with deep concern the issue of human rights in Iran. In the comprehensive dialogue between the Union and Iran, questions regarding human rights in general are always raised by the Union. The Commission does not have any bilateral contractual relationship with Iran. However, the Commission associates itself to the demarches made by the Union Troika in this respect. A demarche to the Iranian Government in Tehran was made on 5 August 1998, regarding the execution of Mr Ruhu’llah Rawhani. A further demarche was made on 4 October 1998 regarding the death sentences against Sirus Dhabihi- Muqaddam and Hidayat-Kashifi Najafabadi, where the Union called upon the Iranian authorities to take actions in order that these sentences would not be executed. The Troika was informed that the death sentences were not final, but were subject to confirmation by the Supreme Court. In the demarche of 4 October 1998, the Union restated its position on the death penalty, and recalled the United Nations human rights commission resolution 1998/80, which expresses concern at the continuing grave violations of the human rights of the Baha’i and calls upon Iran to refrain from pronouncing death sentences on the grounds of religious beliefs and apostasy. In the session of the United Nations human rights commission from March 22 until April 30, 1999 in Geneva, the Union will again introduce a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran. In the draft text, which is currently under discussion, there is a clear reference to the discrimination and persecution of religious minorities and, in particular, to the Baha’i. The treatment of members of the Baha’i faith in Iran was also specifically raised by the Union Troika during a meeting with the Iranian government on 18 December 1998. This pressure will be maintained. (1999/C 348/183) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0789/99 by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission (6 April 1999) Subject: The Falkland Islands > EU funding How much EU funding has been received by the Falkland Islands in the past five years and through which instruments has this been paid?