92001E1805

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1805/01

by Francesco Turchi (UEN) to the Commission

(13 June 2001)

Subject: Delay in carrying out the pilot project to combat child exploitation and paedophilia

The horryfing phenomenon of paedophilia is still a burning issue, as shown by the recent discovery of a huge paedophile organisation in Rome (Italy).

In the 2001 Budget the European Parliament voted in favour of an appropriation of 3 million intended to finance, in the first year, a pilot project to combat child exploitation (budget line B5-804), specifically by funding an information campaign to combat child exploitation, and in particular paedophilia, within the 15 Member States.

In the 2002 Preliminary Draft Budget the Commission considered it appropriate to delete the funding from that line by making a token entry.

I have not yet received any reply to the question on this subject which I tabled on 30 March 2001.

In view of the foregoing, can the Commission say what action has been taken up to now and what action will be taken in future to carry out this project, what the timetable for this action will be and the reason whysix months of the financial year have elapsed without any action having been taken?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(16 July 2001)

The Commission refers to its answer to Question E-1245/01. In addition, it underlines that on 14 March 2001, the Commission has published the Daphne call for proposals, of which the profile was raised and adapted by including a priority on the topics: paedophilia and child sexual abuses and exploitation.

The receipt of the proposals is now achieved. Around 65 proposals concerning the above mentioned topics have been received. The result of the evaluation process will be known in September and the accepted projects should be able to start around November-December 2001.

Concerning the remark of the Honourable Member about the absence of a similar budget line in the APB 2002, the same considerations about duplication of activities with the Daphne programme guided the Commission in drafting the preliminary budget.