Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-10-07-Speech-4-062"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.19991007.4.4-062"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spoken text |
"On capital punishment: during the last three years, a resolution on the death penalty has been passed in the UN Commission on Human Rights with a growing number of co-sponsors. To take the policy against capital punishment one step further, to consolidate the achievements of the Human Rights Committee and to establish the question of the death penalty on the agenda of the UN General Assembly, the EU Member States have decided to introduce a resolution in the Third Committee during the 54th session of the General Assembly. It is the objective of the EU to keep the text focused and concise to win as broad a support as possible.
The Commission continues through its assistance programmes in the field of democratisation and human rights to support confidence-building measures and dialogue between the different communities. We already did so, though unfortunately without enough success, before the conflict and now in the changed circumstances this continues to be one of the priorities in selecting projects.
Furthermore the Commission, through ECHO, provides humanitarian assistance in favour of the victims of the Kosovo crisis, including the Serb and Roma minorities. We fully support the efforts of KFOR to maintain law and order in Kosovo and to protect all citizens. We fully support the efforts of UNMIK to establish a functioning civil administration which would take over policing functions from KFOR, and to create a peaceful multi-ethnic society which would set about the task of rebuilding Kosovo and its society.
UNMIK has approached the Commission for support for the Kosovo protection corps. Member States will decide in the coming weeks on the Commission’s proposed programme in this regard.
We call on all others within and outside Kosovo to also support these aims and to support UNMIK and KFOR in their work to achieve them. We too oppose any cantonisation of Kosovo. Kosovo must become a multi-ethnic society without distinction or discrimination on ethnic or any other grounds.
The EU will seek collaboration with other regions and states that share the same vision to arrive at the best possible result. I noted, and I agreed with, what Mr Dupuis said, that this initiative is not anti-American. It is pro-human.
On the Moluccas: the Commission follows closely domestic events in Indonesia and shares with honourable Members, the serious concerns about the dramatic inter-religious conflict in the Moluccas and the ensuing injury and loss of life. The European Union has made it clear to the Indonesian government, on numerous occasions, with particular reference to the Moluccas, that it holds it responsible for law and order throughout Indonesia. The government is well aware of the Union’s view and acknowledges its responsibilities. ECHO has been running a project worth EUR 1 m for humanitarian aid to the population in need. The project covered the supply of drinking water, food and medication. A renewal is under consideration.
At this moment, Indonesia is undergoing significant political, economic and social changes. It is hoped that this process will contribute to improving the social climate in particular as regards inter-ethnic and inter-religious tensions.
I heard the debate today and I interpret it as a very mature and very sober contribution to furthering these hopes that what I would call a soft landing for Indonesia and for all the peoples of Indonesia can be obtained.
On Belarus: the Commission is closely following developments in Belarus. We appreciate the efforts of the Belarus government and opposition to initiate a constructive dialogue in order to agree on acceptable conditions for fair and free elections, and thereby restore the rule of law in the country.
However, the Commission remains concerned about Belarus’s human rights record and in particular about the disappearances of political personalities, most recently Mr Gonchar. The EU presidency has officially asked the Belorussian authorities to make all efforts to find Mr Gonchar and secure his safety. This took place on 24 September.
Such developments may well put at risk an agreement between the government and the opposition in the framework of their recently established dialogue. In a few days the Commission will adopt the TACIS civil society development programme in the slightly amended form agreed informally last June with the Belorussian authorities. The document will then be formally submitted to the Belorussian authorities for approval. We trust that the Belorussian authorities will remain committed to the endorsement of the programme. This will represent the fulfilment of an important political benchmark set by the EU last April. Only the fulfilment of the EU’s political benchmarks will allow the EU to gradually normalise relations with Belarus. Among these, human rights have a significant weight alongside free access to the media, an end to harassment of the opposition, constructive dialogue between opposition and government and endorsement of the TACIS civil society development programme.
On the resolutions on abuses of Roma and Serbs in Kosovo I have the following remarks. The Commission fully shares the concerns expressed in these resolutions. The Commission and the EU have been clear from the outset in our condemnation of all ethnic violence whoever the perpetrator and whoever the victim. It is as unacceptable now against the Serb and Roma minorities as it was when carried out against the Kosovars until some months ago."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples