WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3451/98 by Mark WATTS to the Council. Compensation for French lorry drivers' dispute
21. 5. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 142/133 (1999/C 142/168) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3451/98 by Mark Watts (PSE) to the Council (23 November 1998) Subject: Compensation for French lorry drivers’ dispute Could the Council inform me what progress has been made in providing financial compensation to haulage companies and truck drivers who were victims of the French lorry drivers’ disputes in November 1996 and November 1997? There was yet another blockade in France last week, on the N141 outside Cognac, involving the unnecessary detention of up to 40 vehicles and their cargoes. Can the Council say what compensation arrangements will be made for the companies affected and what welfare arrangements made for foreign drivers detained? Reply (25 January 1999) The question raised by the Honourable Member falls within the competence of the French authorities. (1999/C 142/169) WRITTEN QUESTION P-3455/98 by Robert Evans (PSE) to the Commission (9 November 1998) Subject: Human rights abuses in Bahrain Is the Commission aware of the Bahrain Government’s ratification of three human rights treaties, the Convention for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (1990), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1992), and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman and Degrading Treatment (1998)? Is the Commission also aware that one of the Bahrain Government’s obligations under these treaties is to submit periodic reports to the Committees monitoring their implementation? As regards the first two treaties referred to, the Bahrain Government has, to date, failed to submit reports due in 1991 and 1994 respectively. Can the Commission assure me that it will make every effort to urge the Bahrain Government not only to improve its human rights record but to fulfil its obligations under the treaties it has signed? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (2 December 1998) The Commission follows developments in human rights, including the conventions in question, as an observer in the relevant fora of the United Nations. In this respect, the Commission associates itself with positions taken by the Union in relation to Bahrain or other countries parties to the conventions. The Commission does not have any bilateral contractual arrangement with Bahrain. Questions concerning human rights and democracy are raised in ministerial meetings under the cooperation agreement under the cooperation agreement between the Community and the Gulf cooperation council (GCC) concluded in 1989 (1). During the recent joint council meeting in Luxembourg on 27 October 1998, Community ministers reiterated their commitment to the promotion of human rights and to the principle that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent