by Anna
Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission and Council
(02 May
2002)
|
Subject: Security and human rights |
E-1391/02EN
Answer given by Mr Patten
on behalf of the Commission
(13 June 2002)
The Commission fully supports
the stance taken by the Union with regard to the need for the fight against
terrorism to be conducted with full respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms. The Presidency on behalf of the Union again underlined this point
during the Union’s explanation of vote on the resolution on Human rights and
Terrorism introduced by Algeria at the 58th session of the
Commission on Human Rights (CHR). The Union abstained on this resolution,
principally because it included the assertion that terrorist acts constituted a
violation of human rights (the Union having consistently maintained that human
rights violations can only be perpetrated by States).
With respect to the creation
of a mechanism to monitor the human rights impact of anti-terrorism measures
taken by States, the Union participated actively in the negotiations at the 58th
CHR on the text of a resolution introduced by Mexico on Protection of Human
Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism which requested the
High Commissioner to provide advice, recommendations and analysis on the
protection of human rights in the context of the fight against terrorism. The
Union’s support for this move was demonstrated by its indication of
co-sponsorship on the resolution. However, strong opposition from other States
led to the withdrawal of the text. Further efforts to secure progress on the
issue are expected at the next session of the CHR.