Subject: Scandal involving illegal sterilisations in Slovakia

E-1985/03EN

Answer given by Mr Verheugen

on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of the allegations, published in a report of the “Center for Reproductive Rights” at the beginning of 2003, that Roma women have been sterilised without their consent or with coerced consent by doctors in Eastern Slovakia.  The report also raised other human rights violations such as discriminatory access to health-care resources and treatment.

As already stated in its answers to questions E-0434/03 of Mr Meijer[1] , E-0575/03 of Mrs Maes [2] and P-1630/03 of Mrs Maes [3] , the Commission has immediately addressed this issue in a letter to Slovak Prime Minister Dzurinda, underlining that these allegations are a matter of serious concern and if proved to be true, would constitute a serious breach of human rights, provided the public authorities have supported or tolerated such occurrences or have not taken proper legal actions in this respect.  Moreover, the Commission has asked the Slovak authorities to vigorously carry out the necessary criminal investigations, to remedy possible discriminatory measures and to keep the Commission informed about the proceedings.

In his reply, the Slovak Prime Minister informed the Commission that the competent authorities had launched the criminal investigations, with a special investigation team being set up.  Furthermore, the Roma advisor to the Ministry of Interior, a Roma himself, had been assigned to consult this team and the Ministry of Health and the Slovak Gynaecological Society had been closely associated with the investigations.  Furthermore, the Council of Europe has recently conducted a fact-finding mission to Eastern Slovakia to look into the sterilisation issue.

The Commission will continue to closely monitor the further proceedings and outcome of the investigations and will consider further measures, if appropriate and necessary.