91998E2229

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2229/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(16 July 1998)

Subject: EU human rights projects

The European Union participates in many projects to promote human rights and democracy. The provision of information about the projects implemented has been very sluggish.

What will the Commission do to inform Parliament about them more swiftly? What projects were implemented in early 1998, and what funds were used for this purpose?

Answer given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(23 September 1998)

The Commission tries to ensure that the use of the Community budget in general and the financial instruments directly related to human rights in particular is as transparent as possible.

It draws up annual reports on the implementation of the declaration on human rights and democracy, schemes in developing countries and other activities financed by Chapter B7-70. Parliament has examined these reports and, with Mr Imbeni's report, contributed considerably to improving activities in this area.

Specific details of headings B7-7040 and B7-707 are provided at the close of each financial year. A report on their use, accompanied by a full list of the associations, non-governmental organisations and other bodies that have received grants and the exact amount of such grants, is sent to the President of Parliament and the chairman of the relevant committee.

Details are not yet available for the first half of this year. Even if they were, they would not be meaningful, given that all activities financed from budget headings with no legal basis have been temporarily suspended in the wake of Judgment C/106-96 of the Court of Justice.