WRITTEN QUESTION E-2036/01 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Human rights situation in Vietnam.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, EU Member State, Viet Nam, diplomatic representation, human rights, imprisonment, religious discrimination, the EU's international role

18.4.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 93 E/51

There are no plans to produce similar material for other target groups, such as the elderly, and to
distribute them in the United Kingdom: these groups were targeted in other projects submitted either in
1999 or in 2000 in the framework of the second and third calls for proposals on information and
communication initiatives aiming at specific audiences about the euro (1). Most 1999 projects have come
to an end, whereas the 2000 projects are now in an implementation phase. No new initiatives are to be
expected until 2002, as no new calls for proposals are planned.

(1) OJ C 212, 25.7.2000.

(2002/C 93 E/065)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2036/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Human rights situation in Vietnam

(13 July 2001)

Will the Commission ask the Vietnamese Government to clarify what has happened to the Catholic Priest
Nguyen Van Ly who in May, after calling for greater freedom of religion in Vietnam, was arrested and
seriously assaulted?

Will the Commission ask its delegation in Vietnam to visit this priest, who is apparently seriously ill, in
prison and report to the Commission and Parliament on the visit?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

Father Ly was arrested on 17 May 2001 and is understood to remain under arrest in a Military hospital
near Hue.

The Delegation of the Commission in Hanoi, together with the diplomatic missions to Vietnam of the
Member States, follows closely matters of concern in the field of human rights and participates in all
actions to convey the Union’s concern to the Vietnamese authorities. The Commission will continue to
raise particular issues and individual cases of concern in the course of these contacts.

In regard to the case of Father Ly, attention is drawn to the remarks of the member of the Commission
responsible for External Relations in the Parliament debate on religious freedom in Vietnam on 5 July
2001.

(2002/C 93 E/066)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2037/01

by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Military operations in West Papua

Is the Commission aware that the Indonesian police and security forces are carrying out operations with
increasing frequency in the Indonesian province of West Papua (Irian Jaya), including in the regency of
Manokwari?

Is the Commission aware that during a conflict between local residents and a logging company, in which
Indonesian security forces and police intervened, at least four people were killed in Nabire and that since
then yet more Papuans have died in circumstances which have not been clarified?

How will the Commission make clear to the Indonesian Government its disapproval of these military
actions and human rights violations,
inter alia because the military actions are contrary to President
Wahid’s promise to engage in political dialogue over West Papua?