EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/162

(2004/C 84 E/0200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0098/04

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(22 January 2004)

Subject: Extradition of Sok Yoeun

On 28 November 2003, following proceedings that failed to comply with international standards, a Thai appeal court ruled that 72-year-old Sok Yoeun must be extradited to Cambodia after a period of no fewer than 15 days, but no more than three months. Sok Yoeun's extradition was sought by those circles wishing to show the existence of a plot to assassinate Hun Sen, in which Sam Rainsy, the Cambodian opposition leader, is said to be involved.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights granted Mr Yoeun refugee status and the Finnish authorities announced that they were prepared to grant him political asylum. The Thai judiciary's decision is extremely worrying in that it openly violates international law by setting a dangerous precedent for anyone living under UNHCR protection in Thailand. The decision also serves to endorse the blatant political machinations of Hun Sen's party, and therefore to destabilise Cambodia.

Is the Commission aware of the latest developments in Sok Yoeun's situation? If so, has it reacted officially and in what way? What steps has it taken or does it intend to take, possibly together with the Finnish authorities, to prevent Mr Yoeun's extradition from Thailand to Phnom Penh? In addition, what initiatives is the Commission considering in order to persuade the Thai authorities to revert to their previous practice of respecting the international conventions to which Thailand is a party, particularly those concerning the status of political refugees? What, more generally, is the Commission's feeling about yet more political scheming by certain well-known circles in Phnom Penh in an attempt to destroy the democratic opposition and, at the same time, hope of stronger democracy and rule of law in Cambodia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2004)

The Commission, through its Delegations in Cambodia and in Thailand, together with the Member States' representatives and with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), has been following developments in Mr Sok Yoeun's case with the responsible government authorities.

In particular, the Commission has followed closely the rejection by the Thai appeals court, on 28 November 2003, of Mr Sok Yoeun's appeal against the decision to extradite him to Cambodia.

The latest information available to the Commission indicates that the Cambodian authorities have agreed, in principle, to no longer pursue their request for extradition of Mr Sok Yoeun. The Thai Government would take the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Sok Yoeun reunite with his family in Finland, in accordance with Thailand's legal procedures and process of law.

As regards the more general question concerning the political situation in Cambodia, the Commission can assure the Honourable Member that it will continue to call on all political forces in Cambodia to do their utmost to reach a solution to the present political impasse in a peaceful manner, enabling the formation of a new, democratically elected, government. One of the most important tasks of the new government, once formed, will be the reform of the legal and judicial system.