WRITTEN QUESTION E-0297/00 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Situation of minorities in the Czech Republic.
26. 1. 2001 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 26 E/29 owners, which still affects people today and is upheld by the laws of the Czech Republic. Indeed, the Czech Republic continues to argue that the law of 8 May 1946 declaring an amnesty for excesses committed at the time of the expulsion remains in force. Does the Commission share the view that to maintain laws and decrees dating back to 1945 and 1946, which led to the expulsion of over three million European citizens and deprived them of their citizenship, is not an appropriate way to help create an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe? (2001/C 26 E/037) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0297/00 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Situation of minorities in the Czech Republic In Commission reports on the Czech Republicís progress on the way to accession (1998 and 1999), it is stated that the situation of minorities ü with the exception of the plight of the Roma people ü is satisfactory. Is the Commission aware that the expropriation and deportation of ethnic German population groups in the aftermath of World War Two represents a continuing violation of compelling standards of interna- tional law that fundamentally infringes the rights of members of the ethnic German community living in the Czech Republic today? (2001/C 26 E/038) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0298/00 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Acquisition of land in the Czech Republic What information does the Commission have about the possibility that, after the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union, the Czech Finance Ministry may be seeking to prevent citizens of other EU Member States from acquiring real estate in the Czech Republic, and what measures is the Commission considering, bearing in mind that it has always been stressed that when the Czech Republic accedes to the EU it will be required to accept the áacquisí? (2001/C 26 E/039) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0299/00 by Hartmut Nassauer (PPE-DE) to the Commission (11 February 2000) Subject: Protection of minorities in the Czech Republic At the Copenhagen European Council in 1993, the European Union adopted criteria for accession negotiations with the Central and Eastern European countries. In addition to democracy and the rule of law, these included respect for human rights and respect for and protection of minorities. Bearing this in mind, what is the Commissionís view of the legal status of ethnic Germans currently living in the Czech Republic, whose continuing expropriation pursuant to the Benes Decrees (1945 and 1946) violates the requirement to protect minorities and the prohibition of discrimination?