 on human rights in general?

Patijn
I should like to comment as follows on Mr Wayne David's question concerning the treatment by police of Sonia Esmeralda Gomez Guevara and Carmen Velasquez. The Council has not discussed the matter to which the honourable member refers. As he is aware the Council attaches great importance to human rights and fundamental freedoms. In the context of renewing the San José dialogue, to which Guatemala is a party, the promotion of human rights, including the issue of street children, is seen as a key objective which must be given priority in the European Union's relations with the countries of Central America. This is apparent too from the fact that the development cooperation programmes of the European Union and its Member States in Guatemala are aimed particularly at promoting human rights and providing information and training on human rights.

David
I thank the President-in-Office very much indeed for that encouraging response. However, I wonder whether I could press him slightly further, and ask if he would explicitly state that, unless there is an improvement generally in the human rights situation, the European Union would consider withholding development aid funding?
Secondly, is the Council prepared to make any kind of representations concerning the specific case which I have cited in my question?

Patijn
In view of recent political developments in Guatemala I wonder if now is the right time for the European Union to draw attention to political conditions there. I recall that very recently an important process of political reconciliation was completed there, something absolutely essential if democratic conditions are to be fully restored, and if human rights, including the rights of street children, are to be properly upheld, and in these circumstances there is little reason at present to do anything specific on behalf of the European Union. As part of the San José dialogue, which resumes in a few weeks' time, we shall of course raise this specific issue in the appropriate manner.

President
Question No 2 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (H-1029/96)
Subject: Multilingual computerized services
What plans does the Council have to promote language diversity so as to encourage multilingual computerized services?

Patijn
On 21 November 1996 the Council adopted a multiannual programme to promote linguistic diversity in the information society in the European Community which exactly meets the concerns of the honourable member. This programme, which has already begun and for which a total of 15 million ECU has been earmarked to be spread over three
on human rights in general? 

 Patijn 
 I should like to comment as follow on Mr Wayne David's doubt concerning the treatment by police of Sonia Esmeralda Gomez Guevara and Carmen Velasquez. The Council has not discussed the topic to which the honourable member refers. As he is mindful the Council bind great importance to human right and fundamental freedoms. In the context of reincarnate the San José dialogue, to which Guatemala is a party, the promotion of human right, include the issue of street children, is seen as a key objective which must be contribute priority in the European Union's relations with the countries of Central America. This is apparent besides from the fact that the development cooperation programmes of the European Union and its Member States in Guatemala are aimed particularly at promote human rights and providing information and training on human rights. 

 David 
 I thank the President - in - position very much indeed for that encouraging response. However, I wonder whether I could press him slightly further, and ask if he would explicitly state that, unless there is an improvement generally in the human rights situation, the European Union would consider withholding development aid funding? 
 Secondly, is the Council fix to make any kind of representations concern the specific subject which I have cited in my question? 

 Patijn 
 In view of late political developments in Guatemala I wonder if nowadays is the right time for the European Union to pull attention to political conditions there. I recall that very recently an important process of political reconciliation was completed there, something absolutely substantive if democratic conditions are to be fully restored, and if human rights, include the rights of street child, are to be properly upheld, and in these circumstances there is little rationality at present to do anything specific on behalf of the European Union. As part of the San José dialogue, which resume in a few weeks' time, we shall of course raise this specific offspring in the appropriate manner. 

 President 
 Question No 2 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (H-1029/96) 
 Subject: Multilingual computerized overhaul 
 What plans does the Council have to advertise language diversity so as to encourage multilingual computerized services? 

 Patijn 
 On 21 November 1996 the Council adopt a multiannual programme to advertise linguistic diversity in the information society in the European Community which precisely meet the concerns of the honourable member. This programme, which has already begun and for which a total of 15 million ECU has been earmarked to be spread over three
 on human rights in general?

Katijn
I should like to cmmment as folluws on Mr Wayne David's questmon xonceening the treatment by police ov Sonia Wsmecalda Gomez Gueveda and Gcrmen Yelasxnez. The Council has not dhscussed the mdtgex to which the honourable member refqrs. As ne is aware the Sounbij atfaches great importance to human rjghts aid fundamental greedoms. In the context of renfwing the San José fialogue, to whisy Guatemala ks a party, the promotikn of human rights, including thd issbe of streej dhlndren, is sexn as w key objectlne whicv must ne given priorlty ii thw European Union's reletions with the counjries of Cancral America. This is qpparenj too froo thd fzcv tgat thf dxvelopment dooperation programmes of the Turjiran Union ans its Ieiber States in Guatemala are aimed partpculzrly at promoting human rights and providing informatyon and training on human rights.

David
I thank the [resivevt-iu-Ifficd vfry much indeed for that encouraging response. Goeener, I wonder whetmer I could press nil xjightly furthgr, and cak if he would explifitly sjate tyat, unlesf thrre is an improvement generqlly in the kumqn rights situatiou, the Europecn Unipn woild consider withholdiny devemopment aid funding?
Sszondly, is the Cojncpl psepared uu make any kind os represeitatipns conzernong thq specific case which I have cited in mi quesdion?

Patijn
Ln view of recent political devxkopments in Budtekala I wjnder if now is thq right time fpr the Zuropexn Union tk draw ettention to political cotfitions therx. I recalj thqt vwry recdvtly an importsnt process of polirical reconciliatipn dzs completed thzxe, something absokutdly edsxntiaj if democrathc cundkyions are to be nuluy rrstored, and if human riggts, including the tinhts of sjreet chijdren, are to ne properly upheld, and mn there citcuistances there is little reasoh at presfnt to do anythyng wpecific on yehalf of the European Union. As part of vhe San José dialogue, whuch resumes in a fec eeeks' time, xe shajl of cousse raise this specidic issue in the sppropriate manner.

Preaident
Xuestlon No 2 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (H-1029/96)
Subject: Multilingual computerized servixes
Whav [lans does fhe Vouncpl kavz to prjmotx uanguage diversiny so as to encourage multilinguel computesived services?

Patijn
On 21 Novembet 1996 the Council xdopted a multiannual prkgramme yo promote linguistic diversity in the information socicty in thw Eurkpean Bkmounity which exactky meecs the concerbs on the honourabue kelber. This projrajme, which has already begun and dor whucj a total of 15 minlion ECU hwr beeh earmwrked to be sprezd obfr thtee
on human rights in general? Patijn I to as follows Mr Wayne David's police Sonia Esmeralda Gomez and Carmen Velasquez. Council has not discussed the matter which the honourable member refers. As he is aware the Council attaches great to human rights and fundamental freedoms. In the context of renewing the San dialogue, which is party, the promotion of human rights, including the issue of street children, is seen as a objective which must be given priority in the Union's relations with the of Central America. This is too the fact the cooperation of the European and its Member States in Guatemala are aimed particularly at promoting human rights and providing information and on human I thank President-in-Office much for that encouraging I wonder whether I could press and ask if he would explicitly state that, there is improvement generally in the human rights the European Union would consider withholding development aid Secondly, is the Council prepared to make any kind of representations concerning the specific case have cited in my Patijn In view recent developments Guatemala wonder if is the right time for the European Union to draw attention political conditions there. I recall that very recently an important political was completed there, absolutely essential if democratic are be fully restored, and rights, the children, to properly upheld, and in circumstances there is little reason present to do anything European Union. As part of the San José which resumes in a few weeks' time, shall of course raise this specific issue in the appropriate manner. President No 2 Camisón Asensio (H-1029/96) Subject: Multilingual computerized services What does the Council have promote language diversity so as to encourage multilingual computerized Patijn 21 November the Council adopted multiannual programme to linguistic diversity in society in European which concerns of the honourable member. This which already begun and for which total million ECU has been earmarked to be spread over three
 on human rights in general?

PatIjn
I should Like tO coMmeNt As foLlowS on Mr Wayne DaviD'S queStion concerning the treaTment By POlicE Of sonia esmeralDA GOMEz GUeVaRa aNd cArMen VeLasQuez. The council has Not DiScussed the maTTeR to which thE hoNourable membEr rEfers. AS hE is AWare tHe COunciL attacHEs greaT importanCe TO human RIghts anD FUnDameNtal freedoms. In the COnTExt of renewing tHe San JOsÉ DiALOguE, to Which GuateMaLa is a PArty, the PRoMOTIon OF human rights, iNcluding the ISsuE of strEeT chILdren, iS seen As A Key Objective whIch mUst be giveN priorITy in the eUropean union's RelAtiOns wITh ThE coUnTRieS Of cenTRal america. THiS iS appaRent TOO FRom tHe fAct tHat thE development cOopEratIOn pRograMmes oF the euRopeaN Union And itS MEmber States in GuAtemAla are aimEd pArTicUlArly aT PromotIng HumAn rightS and proVIdiNg INFOrMation and training oN hUMAn Rights.

DaVid
I thANk ThE presidenT-iN-OfFice VERy mucH indEEd For that eNcouraGInG rEsponse. hoWever, I WoNdeR whEther i CoulD press Him slighTly fuRTher, and ask if he WOuld explicitlY StATE tHAt, unLesS there is an iMproVEmenT genERaLly IN the hUman rIgHTs SItuation, the European unIon wouLd conSider withholdIng developMENT aid fundIng?
SECoNDly, is the CounciL prepAred to make ANy kind of RepreSentatioNs concernING the specIfiC caSe wHicH i HaVe cited in my quESTion?

paTijn
In vIew Of recenT poLitIcaL deVeLopments iN GuatemaLa i wOnDeR if Now is THe right tImE foR tHe EUropeAN Union To draW attEnTiON to PoliticAL cONDitiOnS tHere. i reCaLl thaT verY RecEntly an Important ProCEss oF pOlItical rEconciliation WaS completed ThEre, SomethING absolutEly essential if democratiC ConditiOns Are to Be fuLly restorEd, aNd if huMan RIghts, iNcludiNg the RiGhtS OF streET ChIldReN, are to be prOPErlY upheLd, And iN these cIrcumstances there iS LitTle reason at prEseNt to DO AnYthINg SPecIfIC on BEHalf of the EuropeAn Union. As pArT Of The San José DIalOgUe, which Resumes In a feW Weeks' tiMe, we shall Of course rAiSe thIS SpeCific issue In the appRopriate mANner.

PREsIdent
queStion NO 2 bY FeLipe CAmisón aSenSio (H-1029/96)
SUbject: muLtilinGual cOmPuterizeD services
What plans does tHe CounCil haVe tO promote lAngUAge Diversity So as To encouragE muLtiLinguAl cOMputeRizeD SeRviCEs?

PatIjn
ON 21 november 1996 tHE COunCIL aDopted a multIANNuaL progRamME to proMote Linguistic diversiTY in the informatIon sOCIetY in THe EuRoPean Community wHicH eXACtly meetS tHe concerns oF the honoUrABle meMber. ThIs progRamme, whICH hAS alreaDy beGun And for whiCh a ToTAl of 15 milLiOn ecU has bEen eArMarked To be spREad oVER three
 on human rights in genera l?

Patijn 
I sh oul d l ik e to  com ment as follow s  onMr Wayne David's quest ion c on c erni n gthe t reatmen t  b y pol ic eofSo n ia  Esme ral da Gome z Guevaraand  C armen Velasq u ez . The Coun cil  has not dis cus sed th emat t er to  wh ich t he hon o urable  member r ef e rs. As he is a w a re  the  Council attaches gr e at importanceto hum an ri g h tsand  fundament al  free d oms. In th e c ont e xt of renewin g the San J o sédialog ue , t o  which  Guat em a lais a party,  the  promotio n of h u man rig h ts, inc luding  th e i ssue of  s tre et chi l dr en, isseen asake y obj ecti v e w hich  mu st b e giv en priority i n t he E u rop ean U nion' s re la tions  withthe c ou ntries of Centr al A merica. T his  i s a pp arent too fr omthe  fact t hat the dev el o p m en t cooperation prog ra m m es  of theEurope a nUn i on and i ts  Me mber S tates  inG ua temala a re aim e dpa rticula rl y at p ro mot ing  huma n  rig hts an d provid ing i n formation andt raining on hu m an r ig h ts.
Da vid
I thank  the Pres iden t -i n-O f ficeverymu c hi ndeed for that enco ur agingrespo nse. However,  I wonderw h e ther I c ould pr e ss him slightl y fur ther, anda sk if he  woul d explic itly stat e that, un les s t her e i s an  improvementg e nera ll y in th e h uman ri ght s s itu ati on , the Eur opean Un io nwo ul d c onsid e r withho ld ing  d eve lopme n t aidfundi ng?Se co n dly , is th e  C o u ncil  p re pare d t omakeanyk ind  of rep resentati ons conc er ni ng thespecific case  w hich I hav ecit ed inm y  questio n?

Patijn
In view of r e cent po lit icaldeve lopmentsinGuatem ala I wond er ifnow i sthe r ightt i me  fo rthe Europe a n  Un ion t odraw  attent ion to political c o ndi tions there.I r ecal l th atv er y  re ce n tly a n important pro cess of po li t ic al reconci l iat io n was c omplete d the r e, some thing abs olutely e ss enti a l  if  democrati c condit ions aret o bef ul ly re sto red, a nd  if  huma n righ t s,inclu ding t he  right s ofst reet chi ldren, are to be proper ly uph eld,and  in these  ci r cum stances t here  is little  re aso n atpre s ent t o do an yth i ng sp ecif i c on beha l foft h eEuropean Un i o n . A s par t o f  the S an J osé dialogue, whi c h resumes in a  few w eek s't ime,  w e shall of cou rse  r a i se thissp ecific issu e in the  a p propr iate m anner. 

Presi d e nt Questi on N o 2  by Felip e C am i són Ase ns io (H-102 9/96 )Subjec t: Mul t ilin g u al computerizedservi c e s
Wha t  pl ans d oe s the C o unci l have topromote lan guagedive rsity  so asto  encou rag emultilingu a l compute rized  servic es ?

P ati jn
On21 N o v ember  199 6the  Councila d op t ed  a mul tian nualpr ogra mme to pr o mote lin gui s tic div er sit y in the in f o rmation so cie ty in t he Europea n  Com m un i ty wh ich ex actlymeets t h e c on cerns o f t h e  honourab le member .  Th is  pro gramme,wh ichha s a lr eady begun andfor whic h a tota l of 15mil l ionE CU has  b een earmarke d tobe spreado v erthree
 on_human rights_in general?

Patijn
I should like_to comment_as_follows on_Mr_Wayne David's question_concerning the treatment_by police of Sonia_Esmeralda Gomez Guevara_and_Carmen Velasquez. The Council has not discussed the matter to which the honourable member_refers._As he_is_aware_the Council attaches great importance_to human rights and fundamental_freedoms. In_the context of renewing the San José dialogue,_to_which Guatemala is_a party, the promotion of human rights, including the_issue of street children, is seen_as a key_objective_which_must be given priority_in the European Union's relations with_the countries of Central America. This_is apparent too from the fact that_the development cooperation programmes of the_European Union and its Member_States in_Guatemala are aimed particularly at_promoting human rights_and providing_information and training_on human rights.

David
I thank the President-in-Office_very much indeed_for that encouraging response. However, I_wonder_whether I could_press_him_slightly further,_and ask if_he_would explicitly_state_that, unless there is an improvement_generally_in the human rights situation, the European_Union would consider withholding_development_aid funding?
Secondly, is the_Council prepared to make any_kind of representations concerning the specific_case which_I have_cited in my question?

Patijn
In view of recent political developments in Guatemala_I wonder if now is the_right time for the_European Union_to_draw attention to_political_conditions there._I recall that very recently an important_process of_political reconciliation was completed there, something_absolutely essential if democratic_conditions_are to be fully restored, and_if human rights, including the rights_of street children, are to_be_properly_upheld, and in these circumstances_there is little reason at present_to do anything_specific on behalf of the European Union._As_part of the San José dialogue,_which_resumes in a few weeks' time,_we_shall_of course raise this specific_issue in the appropriate manner.

President
Question No_2 by Felipe Camisón Asensio (H-1029/96)
Subject: Multilingual computerized services
What_plans does the_Council have to promote language_diversity_so_as to encourage multilingual computerized services?

Patijn
On 21 November 1996 the_Council adopted_a multiannual programme_to promote linguistic diversity in the information society in the_European Community which exactly meets the concerns_of the honourable member. This programme, which has already begun and_for which a total of 15 million ECU_has been earmarked to be spread over_three