WRITTEN QUESTION No. 117/99 by Christine ODDY Persecution of the Baha'i Faith in Iran
6. 11. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 320/129 The Commission considers that legislation on the right of association and rights relating to trade unions including the right to strike, is needed to guarantee that the current social and economic systems and the life- style of Macau will remain unchanged after the handover. The Commission understands that the Macau legislative council is considering drafts in both areas and is concerned about lack of progress despite the very short time available before the handover in December 1999. The Commission trusts that continuing efforts in the legislative council will allow for progress to be made and for legislation to be adopted before the handover. (1999/C 320/172) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0117/99 by Christine Oddy (PSE) to the Commission (2 February 1999) Subject: Persecution of the Baha’i Faith in Iran Will the European Commission make strong representations to the Government of Iran about the continuing persecution of members of the Baha’i Faith, the country’s largest religious minority? The persecution of the Baha’is, who are regarded as ‘unprotected infidels’, has included the execution of more than 200 members since 1979, imprisonment, the denial of jobs and pensions, dismissals from government and academic posts and a recent attempt to close the Baha’i Institute of Higher Education. Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (23 February 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 side. As far as the situation of the treatment of members of the Baha’i faith in Iran is concerned, the matter was specifically raised by the Union Troika during a meeting with the Iranian government on 18 December 1998. (1999/C 320/173) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0126/99 by Esko Seppänen (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (2 February 1999) Subject: Elections in Turkey The police and other authorities in Turkey are preventing normal political party activity. This has been reported to Members of the European Parliament by the Halkin Demokrasi Partisi party, which is particularly strong in the Kurdish region. Will the Commission or other EU institutions send observers to the Turkish elections in April, and will they also be sent to the Kurdish region? Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission (24 February 1999) The Commission does not plan to send observers to Turkey for the elections to be held on 18 April, although it will follow the electoral process closely. The Commission regularly examines all aspects of the democratic process in Turkey, notably with regard to the ‘Regular report on Turkey’s progress towards accession’. The first report was adopted on 4 November last year, and the Commission will present the second at the end of this year, along with those for the other candidate countries