NIRJ JOSEPH DEVA DL FRSA MEP Member of the European Parliament for the South East of England Spokesman for Overseas Development and Co-operation Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee ndeva@europarl.eu.int NEWSLETTER - Autumn 2004

Dear Friends, Maldives The Republic of Maldives has been in a State of Emergency for over a month now, and President Gayoom, who is about to enter his 26th year in office, continues to imprison and torture Members of the pro-reform Democratic opposition. This so-called paradise is in reality a living nightmare for the ordinary Maldivian people. I have been steering a campaign to raise awareness of the situation, and was delighted when MEPs from all-parties came together in Strasbourg to pass a European Parliament urgency resolution, demanding the immediate release of prisoners and calling upon the European Commission to start a programme to inform tourists of countries with poor human rights records under the policy of Fair Travel. Following this, I have received a letter from President Gayoom, promising to start the reform process and release the pro-reform MPs he had held in prison. Since the letter arrived, one of these men, Ibrahim Zaki, has finally been released into hospital. Indonesia Recently, I led the European Parliament's election observation team to Indonesia. It was remarkable to witness some 153 million registered voters turn out in 500,000 polling stations to elect the President Megawati's opponent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a peaceful, transparent, fair and free way. Indonesia is rapidly becoming one of the most advanced democracies in South-East Asia, and it's existence settles the debate as to whether democracy and Islam can successfully co-exist. Indonesia's example should shame leaders who subvert the message of Islam, in order to force their Muslim citizens to accept lesser living standards, the oppression of women, and dictatorship. With all good wishes as ever, Nirj

Nirj Deva is a Member of the South East Conservative MEP team. The others are Dan Hannan, James Elles and Richard Ashworth They can all be contacted via their emails – dhannan@europarl.eu.int, jelles@europarl.eu.int, rashworth@europarl.eu.int

Commission hearings As is often the case, the hearing of the Parliament to approve, or not approve, the Commissioners Designate fell right in the middle of the party conference. The latter was a great success with the Party being in better heart than in a decade.  The former, the hearings, were a mixed bag.  I took the lead in the hearings with Louis Michel, the former Belgian liberal foreign minister, who is the Development Commissioner Designate, and with Peter Mandelson, the Trade Commissioner Designate.   Louis Michel Appeared to be a professional politician staying calm under pressure and ducking several questions.  However, it was obvious that he had little command of his dossier.  He didn't perform well at all and had a poor knowledge of the details and facts.  Commenting on Michel, we refused to use the word "convincing" and even found it difficult to say "satisfied".  Indeed, the group split, with half refusing him point blank and the other half allowing him be appointed- albeit reluctantly.   Peter Mandleson He came across as pro global trade and free markets, keen to de-regulate Europe and accomplish the Lisbon agenda. He started out nervously, but gained more confidence and control throughout the hearing.  Mandelson certainly seems sensitive to development issues including controversial topics such as textiles, labour standards and child workers.

Key points from the European Parliament Resolution on the Maldives

1. The European Parliament called upon President Gayoom "immediately repeal the state of emergency in the Maldives, guarantee the fundamental human rights of his citizens, and release the pro-democracy reformers he arrested on 14^th August 2004."

2. It also called on the European Council to demand the immediate release of the pro-democracy prisoners, many of whom are potentially the leadership of the parliamentary opposition party.

3. The European Parliament furthermore called on the European Heads of Government to immediately stop all non-humanitarian aid going to the Maldives, as instead of going to those who need it most, it has been enriching President Gayoom and his close supporters.

4. A key measure is the "immediate travel ban" which is being discussed at present, but which if implemented, will prevent Maldivian Members of the Government and officials from entering the European Union.

5. The European Parliament also wishes to raise more awareness of this issue amongst the citizens it represents. Therefore, it has also also called on the European Union to "issue thorough warnings, through national foreign ministries, to all tourists planning to go to the Maldives, of the human rights record in the Maldives".

6. Taking awareness-raising one step further, MEPs have called on the European Union to initiate an official, longer term, educational programme.  Such a programme would inform tourists of countries human rights records, helping them to choose their travel destinations and warning them of countries where internationally agreed standards are not respected.

Post plenary news:

Stocktaking of the Prodi Commission- Debate

• Romano Prodi presented his stock take to the Parliament as his Commission's term of office draws to a close.
• Jonathan Evans said: "The Commission has become addicted to constitutional change. You've brought us the Constitutional Convention and the EU Constitution.  It is clear from the turnout in this year's European elections that this process has failed to inspire. I hope the new Commission will focus on radical economic reform and contribute to bringing the citizen closer to the institutions by doing less and doing it better."

European Union strategy to combat the use of drugs in sport- Debate

• MEPs debated Commission plans to combat  the use of drugs in sport
• John Bowis said: "Doping is quite simply cheating.  It is damaging to individual health and sets an appalling example to children who see athletes as their role models."
• Christopher Beazley said: "The development of illicit drugs has made it increasingly difficult to detect drug use in sport. We must look at improving technology used in the detection process, consider increasing the random testing of athletes and bring about more co-operations between sporting bodies."

Information and promotion measures for agricultural products (AGRI) (Consultation Procedure)

Spokesman: Neil Parish MEP                             Adopted - Conservatives in favour

• Revises certain provisions of two earlier regulations in order to simplify the management of information and promotion for agricultural products.

Ratification procedures of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe and the communication strategy (Motion for resolution)

Spokesman: Timothy Kirkhope MEP                   Adopted- Conservatives against

• Calls for all referendums on the EU Constitution to be held between 5th and 8th May 2005. (4 Labour MEPs also voted against this resolution).
• Timothy Kirkhope said: "This is a matter for the British Parliament and other national Parliaments to decide on. It is not for the European Parliament to tell countries when and how the referendums should be held."

Generalised System of Preferences (Oral Question) (Joint Motion for a Resolution)

Spokesman: Robert Sturdy MEP                         Adopted- Conservatives in favour

• A scheme set up to benefit developing countries by granting them preferential treatment in certain trade areas.  The Commission wishes to reform the system for 2006-2015.
• Conservatives welcome the reforms.  However, countries that are now competitive should no longer receive preferential treatment.  We support a simplification of the entry criteria but insist that there must be transparency in the implementation and internal decision-making processes of the developing countries.