WRITTEN QUESTION E-0621/03

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(3 March 2003)

Subject: The Venerable Thich Huyen Quang in a critical condition

According to the Paris-based organisation Que Mê: Action for democracy in Vietnam, the 86-year-old Patriarch of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (the UBCV, a traditional, independent church, banned since 1981), Thich Huyen Quang, is suffering from a painful swelling of the eye; doctors at the Quang Ngai Hospital who examined Thich Huyen Quang last week believe that it might be a tumour. Since the Quang Ngai Hospital is not equipped to treat this kind of disease, the doctors recommended that the Patriarch should be transferred immediately to a hospital in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) for an operation. This decision, however, was rejected on 12 February 2003 by the Quang Ngai security department, who recalled that the Venerable Thich Huyen Quang has been banned from leaving the province. The Patriarch has been detained without trial, and without any charge, since 1982. He has been deprived of his civil rights and his most fundamental rights of freedom of worship and freedom of movement. He also suffers from hypertension, chronic arthritis and gastric problems. His health has deteriorated seriously as a result of his 21 years of imprisonment in a hut near the Quang Phuoc Pagoda in the village of Cho Chua, in the remote province of Quang Ngai.

What is the latest news that the Commission has on the situation of the Venerable Thich Huyen Quang? How does the Commission, which has been working together with the Member States for the release of the Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and the Venerable Thich Quang Do, view the persistent refusal of the Hanoi authorities to release the two religious leaders? What new steps does the Commission intend to take to urge the Hanoi authorities to put an end to the persecution of the two highest-ranking members of the Unified Buddhist Church, and more generally of all members of non-recognised Churches in Vietnam?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member's concern about the unconfirmed reports concerning the Venerable Thich Huyen Quang and is endeavouring to obtain confirmation of his present condition. The Commission has also noted reports that the Government is not seeking to prevent him from receiving medical treatment, but prefers that the treatment should not take place in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Commission, together with the Member States represented in Vietnam, monitors closely human rights developments in Vietnam, including individual cases of concern and issues related to freedom of religion and freedom of opinion, as part of the policy of the Union to encourage and support the continued commitment of the Government of Vietnam to progress in the field of human rights. The Commission also participates with the Member States in regular dialogue with and in all démarches to the Government of Vietnam on human rights issues.

The Commission, together with the representatives of the Member States, will continue to follow closely the human rights situation in Vietnam and to raise specific concerns with the Government of Vietnam as appropriate.