WRITTEN QUESTION P-3175/01 by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission. Disappearance of Keuakoun, Sisa-At, Phengphanh, Chanmanivong and Keochay.
Date: 2001-11-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Laos, government violence, human rights, political prisoner, political rights

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/67

1.

Is there a loophole in the law here which endangers children on motorbikes?

2. What legislation exists on this subject in other Member States?

3. Will
framework legislation)?

the Commission investigate this matter, and might

it propose European legislation (e.g.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2002)

The Commission shares the concern of

the Honourable Member about children travelling as
1.
passengers on motorbikes and that this could lead to very dangerous situations. Indeed from the most
recent accident data available in the Community Road Accident Database (CARE), it can be derived that
more than 110 children up to 14 years, travelling as passengers on motorbikes, have been killed on the
Community roads over the years 1991 to 2000.

2.
The Commission is not aware of any specific national legislation existing in the Member States which
goes beyond requiring the wearing of helmets by drivers and passengers on motorbikes as it is the case e.g.
in the Netherlands.

The Commission will further investigate this issue and will

3.
appropriate action in the field of motorcycle safety, taking due account of the principle of subsidiarity.

if necessary, undertake any

indeed,

(2002/C 160 E/076)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3175/01

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(13 November 2001)

Subject: Disappearance of Keuakoun, Sisa-At, Phengphanh, Chanmanivong and Keochay

On 15 February 2001 Parliament adopted and forwarded to the Commission an emergency resolution (1)
in which it:

; drew attention to the plight of prisoners of conscience in Laos, notably the five members of the
’26 October 1999 movement’, Keuakoun, Sisa-At, Phengphanh, Chanmanivong and Keochay, who
were arrested on that date and have now disappeared; and

; called on the Laotian authorities to release all prisoners of conscience and guarantee the full exercise
of their fundamental rights, and also to guarantee fundamental civil and political rights by ratifying
and implementing the applicable UN conventions.

Nine months have passed since then, and the Commission, and,
in particular, Mr Chris Patten, the
Commissioner for external affairs, have taken no steps to raise Parliament’s questions with the authorities
in Vientiane.

In an attempt to counteract the Commission’s inaction and make a political gesture in the absence of any
action by Commissioner Patten, Mr Olivier Dupuis, Member of the European Parliament and Secretary of
the Transnational Radical Party, recently visited Laos with four other leading Radical figures, with whom
he re-ran the demonstration held two years before by the democratic student movement. The Radicals
Dupuis, Mellano, Manzi, Lensi and Khramov were all arrested and held in custody, in violation of the
applicable international conventions.

What initiatives does the Commission intend to take with the Laotian authorities in order to ascertain
whether Keuakoun, Sisa-At, Phengphanh, Chanmanivong and Keochay are alive or dead and whether they
have been murdered or kidnapped?

(1) OJ C 276, 1.10.2001, p. 281.

C 160 E/68

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.7.2002

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(6. December 2001)

In the Community statement before the 57th UN Commission on Human Rights on 29 March 2001, the
Community expressed its concern about the fact that the exercise of political opposition is not tolerated in
Laos and has led to the detention of several persons in October 1999 and November 1999 for
demonstrating against the government. The Community is also concerned about the arbitrary nature of
some of the arrests, the non-existence in practice of the right to preparation of legal defence and counsel,
and the lack of legal training of the judiciary in Laos PDR.

The Commission’s Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with Laos PDR, follows this and other
matters relating to human rights very closely. On the issue of political prisoners, the Commission, in
cooperation with the Diplomatic Missions of the Member States, continues to monitor developments and
to participate in Community démarches requesting information on the legal procedures regarding political
prisoners.

Human rights issues, such as restrictions in freedom of opinion and expression, flaws in the system of
administration of justice as well as political prisoners, were discussed with representatives from Laos in the
first EU-Laos PDR Joint Committee, which took place in May 2001. On this occasion, the Commission also
reiterated the suggestion by the Parliament Delegation, which visited Vientiane in April, that Community
the Red Cross be authorised to visit political
Ambassadors and/or the International Committee of
prisoners.

The Commission is committed to emphasising the need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights
including freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion. The Commission will
in Laos,
continue to raise these matters in all our bilateral contacts.

(2002/C 160 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3182/01

by Alexander de Roo (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(20 November 2001)

Subject: Landfill on the island of Gozo (Malta)

On the island of Gozo, off the major island of Malta, there is a landfill which has not been built according
to basic specifications and which is detrimental to the environment and to the health of the people living
on the island. This landfill lies in the locality of Xaghra, between the town of Marsalforn and Ramla Bay.
The specific name of the area is Il Qortin. The landfill has now grown to the size of approximately one
square kilometre and has reached a height of around 40 metres.

In view of the fact that this landfill is only a few metres away from inhabited residences and very close to
the sea and also because all types of waste ; toxic and non-toxic ; are being dumped in this area, what
action is the Commission taking with the authorities in Malta to protect the health of the inhabitants of
the island of Gozo?

It must be noted that because of combustion of the waste in the landfill, the fumes are polluting the air
and entering residents’ homes.

What help does the Commission consider giving the Maltese Government to shut down the landfill, since
this practice of depositing waste actually impinges on the fundamental rights of the Gozitan and Maltese
residents?