WRITTEN QUESTION E-2641/01
by Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the
Commission and Council
(28
September 2001)
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Subject: Arrest of
eight foreign nationals by the Taliban in Afghanistan |
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Since 5 August, the Taliban
Islamic fundamentalist regime has held eight foreign nationals (four German,
two Australian and two American) and 16 Afghans working for the NGO, Shelter
Now International, in custody charged with attempting to convert Muslims to
Christianity. At the same time, hundreds of humanitarian aid workers are
helping many thousands of Afghan civilians to survive the civil war. Under
Islamic law, the sharia, the accused may face the death sentence. What measures and
diplomatic initiatives will the Commission take to compel the Islamic regime
to guarantee the safety of the foreign nationals in its custody and respect
their human rights, and what steps will it take to exert pressure on the
unlawful government of Afghanistan to comply with international law and respect
religious freedom, the right of freedom of expression and free will? |