WRITTEN QUESTION E-3113/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2002)

Subject: Religious freedom in Laos

Is the Commission in a position to confirm that, since the new law on religion was passed in Laos on 6 July 2002, an increasing number of Christians throughout the country have been displaced or otherwise persecuted for their beliefs and that large numbers of churches have been closed? Is the Commission in a position to confirm that Christian farmers have been prevented by the Communist Party from working during the planting season on their own farms, on which they and their families depend, and forced to work on farms belonging to adherents of other religions? Is the Commission aware of reports that the Vice-Governor of Savannakhet Province arrived in Ban Dongphoong with police and a pick-up truck to arrest three Christian leaders or that Christians incarcerated in Udomsay prison have died from lack of proper food or medical attention during the last three years? If so, could the Commission indicate what representations it has made to the Laotian Government and whether any international organisations such as the Red Cross are given access to prisons in the country?

Finally, what level of economic assistance is provided by the European Union to Laos, and is this in any way dependent on respect for the religious beliefs of others or on more general adherence to human rights norms?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2002)

The Commission is well aware of reports that freedom of religious expression remains restricted in Laos, including reports of members of Christian groups being persecuted and/or detained on grounds of their religious affiliation.

While the Constitution stipulates the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion, the authorities apparently restrict this right in practice, especially to non-Buddhist communities.

The level of tolerance of religious practice varies between regions. There have been reports of arrest and detention of religious believers and their spiritual leaders without charges. Some Christians have also been sentenced for gathering to create social turmoil. Some reports also mention difficulties for religious groups seeking to establish new places of worship.

The Commission, the Commission Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), together with the diplomatic missions of the Member States, follow this and other matters relating to human rights in Laos very closely. In relation to the particular events mentioned in the question, enquiries with Union and other partners in Laos have not yielded any reliable confirmation.

At present, International organisations do not have access to monitor the situations in Laotian prisons. The Commission has raised this issue with Laotian authorities on several occasions and has suggested that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be authorised to do such monitoring. Unfortunately, this suggestion has not yielded any result yet.

The EC-Lao PDR Co-operation Agreement states in its first Article that respect for human rights and democratic principles is the basis of our co-operation. Questions related to the respect for and the promotion of human rights are addressed in meetings of the Commission-Lao PDR Joint Committee established under the Co-operation Agreement.

The need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights, including freedom of religion, in Laos was raised in the Union statement at the 58th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in March 2002. The Commission also raised these concerns during the Commission-Lao PDR Joint Committee when it met on 15 May 2001. With the opening of a Delegation in Laos at the beginning of 2003, the Commission will be able to intensify its dialogue on human rights issues with the Lao Government further.

According to the National Indicative Programme for Lao PDR, Community assistance to the country for the period 2002-2004 is expected to total EUR 14 million. Taking into account the poverty profile of the country, support will focus on the most vulnerable groups of the population, particularly ethnic minorities. Rural development, health and primary education will remain the most important areas of EC development assistance. A particular attention will also be given to the questions of human rights and good governance.