The foreign affairs Commission of the European Parliament adopted by a large majority the report of the Dutch liberal Van den Bos on the state of human rights in the world for 2002. The report hopes for the reinforcement and greater coherence of European policy on human rights, and calls for the Council’s greater involvement in decisions. From a political point of view, the MEPs who voted in favour of the creation of an international penal tribunal consider it necessary to integrate, and especially ensure respect for, human rights in every accord signed by the EU with third countries. They also urge a stepping up of EU action within the UN Commission for Human Rights. The Report identifies religious intolerance as one of the main threats to world security: “of the thirty more violent conflicts in 2002 it declares twelve have a religious dimension”. The Report also condemns the “totalitarian regimes that suppress freedom of thought, conscience and religion”, as in Myanmar (Burma), Laos, Cuba, China, North Korea and Vietnam. Lastly, the Report refers to the “fundamental role of education in fostering mutual understanding and respect for different religions”. The text now passes to the plenary assembly of the EP which has up till September to present any amendments.
