Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/1999-12-01-Speech-3-111"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"1999-12-01"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Annual report on human rights2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.19991201.9.3-111"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:1999-12-01-Speech-3-1122
lpv:speaker	lp:Johan Van Hecke2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (1999-09-14--2002-01-14)3 member; Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3 unknown; Christelijke Volkspartij (1999-07-20--2001-09-30)3 member; EPP-ED (1999-07-20--2002-09-17)3 substitute; Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism (1999-07-21--2002-01-14)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, according to Amnesty International, there are still 142 countries which ride roughshod over human rights, ranging from excessive police violence to tortures and killings. This sober fact overshadows, I believe, the unmistakably positive developments in some countries. More than anything, it places in perspective the memorable fact that an increasing number of countries are abolishing the death penalty and are signing major human rights treaties. Never before has so much lip service been paid to human rights. Never before has there been so much verbal condemnation without being followed up by sanctions. Human rights violations are a blot on our civilisation, impunity even more so. Nevertheless, we see, thinking of Rwanda for example, that the law is very slow in catching up with those responsible for the most gruesome violations of human integrity – if it does so at all. As such, impunity causes more violations. The truth is that human rights are still too often subordinated to commercial and other interests of Member States. Unfortunately, there is no common strategy as yet. This partly explains why we are so often overtaken by events. Why did disaster have to strike East Timor, Kosovo and Rwanda first before something was done? The international community often watches helplessly. Our policy for human rights should be credible. There is no room for double standards. China and – to a lesser extent Russia – often remain out of harm’s way a lot longer than certain African regimes. Some will term this selectivity. I prefer to call it opportunism and a lack of courage. The present report, Madam President-in-Office of the Council, the first of its kind, deserves all credit and is a first step towards a consistent and coherent human rights policy to which the Council, Commission and Parliament, in a joint effort, should give their all."@en1

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