91998E3655

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3655/98

by Elisabeth Schroedter (V) and Heidi Hautala (V) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: Repressive measures taken against environmental activists in Ukraine

After the Ukrainian environmental group "Rainbow Keepers" released information about possible diversion and misuse of funds given by the EBRD, including funds for ensuring safety at Chernobyl, members of this organisation reported that they had been harassed by the police and the Ukrainian Secret Service (the former KGB). Before the EBRD summit in Kiev on 9-12 May, environmental activists were interrogated and threatened with arrest.

Is the Commission aware of the harassment of environmental activists in Ukraine?

What measures does the Commission take to promote freedom of speech in Ukraine?

Does the Commission take any measures to protect from such harassment environmental activists who supply information about the misuse of EU funds to the European institutions?

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

(19 January 1999)

The Commission is not aware of the harassment of ecological activists in Ukraine.

As laid down in article 2 of the partnership and co-operation agreement between the Community and its Member States on the one part, and Ukraine on the other part, respect for democratic principles and human rights (as defined in particular in the Helsinki final act and the charter of Paris for a new Europe, including the freedom of opinion and of expression) constitutes an essential element of partnership and of the agreement.

The Commission's main instrument to promote the freedom of expression in Ukraine is the Phare and Tacis democracy programme, which is part of the European democracy initiative of the Parliament. This programme aims to promote the concept of democratic society governed by the rule of law in Central and Eastern European countries, the New Independent States and Mongolia. In Ukraine, the Tacis democracy programme provides assistance to media monitoring and training, and actions to enhance the contribution of the independent television sector to democratic and civil society development, to promote civic education at school, and to further public participation in economic and environmental decision making.

The Commission seeks to protect individuals and groups delivering information on alleged abuses of Community money by ensuring the confidentiality of the information provided and by maintaining the anonymity of the informer.