WRITTEN QUESTION E-0364/02 by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Human rights issues in Vietnam.
Date: 2002-02-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Commission Delegation, Viet Nam, human rights, religious discrimination, the EU's international role

C 277 E/36

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to written question E-0284/02 by
Mrs Morgan (1).

The Commission views the destruction of basic infrastructure in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, much of
which has been financed by the Community and Member States as counterproductive in the effort to
achieve peace. It sets back efforts to ensure sustained social and economic development in the region,
which is in the interests of both parties; and this plays into the hands of extremists who are only too
willing to exploit a growing resentment among certain sectors of Palestinian population.

Regarding claims for compensation, property and equipment funded by the Community budget belongs to
the beneficiary. Therefore, in strict legal terms, it would be up to the beneficiary (which is in most cases
the Palestinian Authority) to take legal recourse.

On the political level, in accordance with the General Affairs Council conclusions, the Union has reserved
the right to claim reparation in the appropriate fora.

(1) See page 29.

(2002/C 277 E/037)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0364/02

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 February 2002)

Subject: Human rights issues in Vietnam

People of faith in Vietnam are suffering oppression by State authorities. Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, who
chairs the Administrative Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Mennonite denomination and runs
many projects to help the poor and destitute, has been subjected to frequent intimidation and persecution.
This is an attempt by the State authorities to dissuade the Pastor and his groups from conducting both
religious and social activities.

In October 2001 Pastor Quang was given an ultimatum to cease his church activities out of his home/
centre in Binh Khanh ward of Ho Chi Minh City.

Will the Commission agree that in light of this, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights
And The International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights, giving citizens the right to enjoy the basic
rights of human freedom of religion, expression and association are not being respected?

Will the Commission therefore agree that steps should be taken to ensure that every Vietnamese citizen
can expect to enjoy these basic human rights?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2002)

The Commission Delegation in Hanoi, together with the Diplomatic Missions of the Member States,
follows the human rights situation in Vietnam closely.

14.11.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/37

Over the last number of years, the Commission has observed considerable progress for the majority of the
Vietnamese people who practice religion, including a significant proportion of the population who practise
freely the Christian or Buddhist religions. There remain, however,
issues on which further progress is
needed, as well as a number of individual cases of concern.

In the case of Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, while the Commission has noted the information given, it has
not yet received independent confirmation of the events reported. The Commission Delegation in Hanoi
has therefore been requested to make enquiries and to take appropriate follow up action in conjunction
with the Member State missions.

The Commission’s approach towards Vietnam in the field of human rights, as it is towards all countries, is
to encourage and support progress on human rights and democratisation, and to raise concerns where
abuses occur, in the framework of the international human rights instruments.

The Commission Delegation in Hanoi and the Diplomatic Missions of the Member States raise on an
ongoing basis issues of concern in relation to human rights in Vietnam on an ongoing basis. For example,
the Commission can inform the Honourable Member that the human rights situation in Vietnam was
discussed during the Community-Vietnam Joint Commission in Hanoi on 6 November 2001 and was
raised again during the donors Consultative Group Meeting in Hanoi on 7-8 December 2001.

(2002/C 277 E/038)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0369/02

by Mary Honeyball (PSE) to the Commission

(14 February 2002)

Subject: Human trafficking

Given the adoption of Mrs Sörensen’s report ‘For further actions in the fight against trafficking in women’
(A5-0127/2000) and the commitment made in a response to a question by Brian Crowley on
11 December 2001 (H-0924/01), would the Commission provide details of any plans it has to prevent
trafficking in human beings?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2002)

The Commission believes that trafficking in human beings, in particular in women and children, is an
abhorrent and increasingly worrying phenomenon and the Commission and the European Union have
therefore over the past years developed a comprehensive policy to fight against trafficking in human
beings in general and in women and children in particular. This policy is characterized by the central focus
put on three main strands: the victims of trafficking,
law enforcement and judicial co-operation, and
prevention. As regards victims, the Commission has put forward on 11 February a proposal for a Directive
on the short-term residence permit for victims who cooperate against their exploiters. This proposal will
help to fight against and dismantle the networks. In the field of judicial co-operation in criminal matters,
political agreement has been reached on a Framework Decision which essentially focuses on common
definitions and common sanctions.

Specifically on prevention, the Commission launched in May 2001 the European Forum on Prevention of
Organised Crime. The Forum was launched on the basis of a Commission Communication of November
2000 on crime prevention in general. In the context of the Forum, a specific workshop on prevention of
trafficking in human beings has been set up. The first two workshops in 2001 have devoted their efforts to
identifying specific and targeted areas where further co-operation and exchanges can be developed, for
instance co-operation between law enforcement services and NGOs, the role of local governance and
inspections with the aim to secure proper application of labour and other laws and regulations. The
workshop will continue its work during 2002. The minutes and conclusions are published on the website
of the Directorate General for Justice and Home Affairs of the Commission.