WRITTEN QUESTION E-2976/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(22 October 2002)

Subject: Inhumane prison conditions of Mr Latsamy Khamphoui and Mr Feng Sackchittaphong

Mr Latsamy Khamphoui, a former minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and Mr Feng Sackchittaphong, a former senior civil servant at the Ministry of Justice, have been imprisoned at Forced Labour Camp No 7 in the province of Houaphanh, in the north of Laos, since 1990. These two members of the opposition and another former minister, Mr Thongsouk Saysangkhi, who died in the same forced labour camp in February 1998 as a result of torture, privation and the absence of medical care were sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for a State security offence after a sham trial in which no defence was provided. They had written open letters to the sole party's leaders denouncing the totalitarian nature of the regime, calling for the establishment of a multi-party system and democratic reforms, and demanding an end to social injustice and corruption within the party. Mr Latsamy Khamphoui and Mr Feng Sackchittaphong are both over 60; they are seriously ill, with poor eyesight, and kidney and pulmonary problems, and are almost unable to walk; they are isolated in an underground cell from which they are only allowed out once a week. They remain without medical care in this Camp No 7, which is notorious for its cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners. Their families are not allowed to send them medicine and have only been able to visit them briefly, a mere three times, over their 12 years of imprisonment. On 30 May 2002 Unesco launched a public appeal for the release of Mr Latsamy Khamphoui on humanitarian grounds.

What practical steps has the Commission taken or will it be taking to induce the Vientiane authorities to release Mr Latsamy Khamphoui and Mr Feng Sackchittaphong unconditionally? What response has it had from the Laotian authorities to its representations for releasing the leaders of the demonstration of 26 October 1999, Mr Thongpaseuth Keuakoun, Mr Sengaloun Phengphanh, Mr Bouavanh Chanmanivong, Mr Khamphouvieng Sisa-At and Mr Keochay? More generally, what steps will the Commission be taking to induce the Vientiane authorities to undertake serious reforms towards introducing democracy and the rule of law in Laos?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(14 November 2002)

As already indicated in the reply by the Commission to Written Questions P-3175/01 and P-0019/02 both by Mr Cappato(1), the Commission has the possibility of raising human rights issues with the Government of Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) in bilateral meetings and when participating in Union political démarches agreed with the Member States.

The question of the arrest and disappearance of the five leaders of the 26 October 1999 Movement has been raised through these channels. Unfortunately, it has been impossible so far to receive clear information from the Government on the five missing Laotians.

As regards the continued detainment of former government officials Mr Latsamy Khampoui and Mr Feng Sackchittaphong, both prisoners of conscience, the Commission, and Member States, have repeatedly appealed to the government of Lao PDR to have them released on humanitarian grounds.

As these efforts have not yet yielded a positive result, the Commission will continue to raise these issues through all available channels.

(1) OJ C 160 E, 4.7.2002.