92003E0619

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0619/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Subject: People's Mojahedin Organisation

Has the Commission any evidence that members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation (MKO or PMOI), which is affiliated to the National Council of Resistance of Iran, present any threat to the security of the world outside Iran?

Is the Commission aware of the support for the MOK/PMOI publicly voiced by 331 British MPs and 122 peers, and 150 members of the US Congress?

Given the allegation made on 12 February by a Member speaking in the European Parliament that the MKO is made up of criminals who continually kill and destroy the innocent among us, has the Commission any evidence that members of the MKO have done any such thing outside Iran?

Given that this criticism of the MKO reflects the views of the authorities in Iran, might this be a case of one person's terrorists being another's freedom fighters?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 2003)

The Commission notes that the term terrorist list refers to the list attached to the Common Position 2001/931/CFSP(1) and the list of persons, groups and entities whose funds and assets should be frozen in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001(2). The Common Position and the Regulation were adopted pursuant to Resolution 1373(2001) of the Security Council of the United Nations.

The Council takes its decisions to list persons, groups and entities by unanimity of its Members without the need for a Commission proposal. As the deliberations in the Council are secret, it is standing policy that the Commission does not comment on the inclusion of any persons, groups and entities in these lists.

The Commission finally notes that the Common Position contains a number of criteria that have to be met and as a result the Mujahedin e Khalq have been included on the list in May 2002 while the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) continues to be specifically excluded.

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001 of 27 December 2001 on specific restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with a view to combating terrorism, OJ L 344, 28.12.2001.