Policy, not gesture, for progress on Tibet

“We do not need a gesture, we need a coherent policy” was the concluding statement of Pasqualina Napoletano MEP speaking for the Socialist Group in the debate at the European Parliament in response to the recent events in Tibet.  Following the plenary debate in the hemicycle in Brussels the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Karma Chopel, discussed with MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee the broad objectives of Tibetans for the future of their country and what stance the European Union (EU) could adopt to help mitigate the current situation. He called for EU backing for a series of demands for action by the Chinese Government to stop the repression, release political prisoners, allow independent medical teams to treat the injured demonstrators and to allow an independent investigating team into Tibet to ascertain the cause of the troubles.  With regard to the Tibetan Government-in-Exile’s (TGE) broader objectives, Mr Chopel described the TGE’s goal of the ‘Middle Way Approach’, demanding not independence but a large degree of autonomy within China. On the question of sanctions Mr Chopel emphasised that “China should not be marginalised”.  The TGE was against a boycott of the Olympic Games and against economic sanctions, its broad line being “the more China is involved in the world, the more it will have to respect international norms”.  Clearly the Tibetan Government-in-Exile is also looking for European politicians to come forward with a coherent policy and not gestures.

Pressure to end Canadian seal cull

Stavros Dimas, the European Commissioner for the Environment, is considering introducing trade sanctions against Canada as a result of public and political pressure to end that country’s annual seal cull.  At the European Parliament political action has been taken to try and encourage the Council and the Commission to introduce and enforce a Europe-wide ban.  A Written Declaration signed by 450 MEPs was adopted and the Commission’s proposed Animal Welfare Action Plan received widespread political support from the European Parliament.  However, despite resounding European public support for these measures, it is the choice of individual governments to introduce a ban, and so far only the Netherlands, Belgium and Slovenia have implemented outright bans.  The UK has said it would welcome EU action and it looks as if a trade ban might be the most effective way to end the carnage.  With plans to cull 275,000 seals this year in Canada it is the largest commercial marine mammal hunt in the world, with 98.5% of the victims being pups less than 3 months old.  The pups are shot or clubbed to death for their fur pelts, which are used for a range of goods, including some dress sporrans.  Approximately one third of Canadian seal fur exports come to the EU, mostly Finland, Germany, Denmark and Greece.  Therefore if Europe were to no longer permit producers of seal products to trade within our borders the effects would certainly be felt.  With a EU trade ban, Canadian sealers would thus be financially forced to think twice about the heartless hunt.

Code of Conduct on Arms Exports should be legally binding

On the tenth anniversary of the European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers, the European Parliament has once again called for the Code of Conduct to be made legally binding and to be adopted by all Member States. It has called on the Slovenian Presidency to make this “a permanent item on the agenda of the General Affairs Council meeting until the issue is resolved”. Some in the parliament believe that the failure of the Council to do so, may be linked to the wish, of some EU Member States, to lift the current EU arms embargo on the People’s Republic of China – a change that the European Parliament has repeatedly opposed. The Code of Conduct is a crucial issue in the current context of Commission initiatives to harmonise arms procurement policies and intra-Community arms transfers and sales and to make sure that future EU peace missions are not threatened with arms previously supplied by EU Member States.

Strengthened common position on Burma/Myanmar called for

In the light of the continued brutal repression by the Burmese authorities of peaceful protest and the serious violations of human rights in Burma/Myanmar, calls are growing for a strengthened European Union (EU) Common Position when it comes up for review later this month.  MEPs have been briefed on the ongoing gross violation of human rights in Burma including: the widespread, systematic use of rape as a weapon of war, forced labour, land confiscation, the forcible conscription of child soldiers, the use of human minesweepers, religious persecution, the destruction of over 3,200 villages in eastern Burma since 1996, the displacement of over a million people, the widespread use of torture, the imprisonment of at least 2,000 political prisoners, the continuing arrest of activists and dissidents, the military offensive against civilians in eastern Burma and extrajudicial killings.  The UK Government is being urged to take the lead in the Council and call for tougher EU sanctions.  Amongst the measures being advocated in the European Parliament are: a ban on all new investment in Burma; targeted banking and financial sanctions against senior members of the military regime; a full implementation of the earlier ban on investment in, and the import of, gems, metals and timber; a rejection of the legitimacy of the forthcoming referendum in Myanmar and a call for a for a free, fair and inclusive constitutional process.

€1 Billion in Aid for Trade could encourage self-help

During Question Time, at the last session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the European Commissioner for International Trade, Peter Mandelson, gave an update on the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) that the Commission is currently negotiating with former European colonies in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.  Following on from the Commission’s statement, I had the opportunity to ask the Commission about its promise to provide €1 billion in Aid for Trade to developing countries with the aim of encouraging increased South-South inter-regional trade.  Better regional integration, which is essential for balanced economic development, is dependent on assistance with trade.  In my report for the International Trade Committee I showed how Aid for Trade could encourage development by providing funding for measures such as infrastructure projects.

Ban for spam proposed

One of the great frustrations of modern information technology is that so much of it isn’t – ‘information’ at all. A recent report published by the European Commission indicates that spam, much of it fraudulent, criminal and crude, accounts for between 50 and 80 percent of all emails.  There is nothing worse than booting up your computer only to find your inbox swollen with dozens of emails offering you cheap Viagra.  That is why Labour MEPs have called for the European Commission to guarantee the protection of consumers against spam, spyware and malicious software. Proposed Telecom Reform legislation introduces the possibility of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) taking legal action against spammers.  The new rules will also force communications services to notify consumers about any security breaches.

New European funding to improve independent living for elderly 

The European Parliament has voted to make €150 million available to research ways to improve independent living for the elderly.  The initiative will develop new technologies to help women and men in their daily living and working environment.  The aim is to enable people to stay active longer in the workplace, remain socially connected and live independently into old age.  However, Assisted Living Technology must be adapted to the needs of the elderly, services must respect the privacy and dignity of the elderly and support for independent living must contribute towards increased social participation on the part of the elderly.