WRITTEN QUESTION E-3113/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Religious freedom in Laos.
Date: 2002-10-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU relations, Laos, freedom of religious beliefs, government violence, prison system, religious discrimination, right to justice

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Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

(2004/C 11 E/025)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3113/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2002)

Subject: Religious freedom in Laos

Is the Commission in a position to confirm that, since the new law on religion was passed in Laos on
6 July 2002, an increasing number of Christians throughout the country have been displaced or otherwise
persecuted for their beliefs and that large numbers of churches have been closed? Is the Commission in a
position to confirm that Christian farmers have been prevented by the Communist Party from working
during the planting season on their own farms, on which they and their families depend, and forced to
work on farms belonging to adherents of other religions? Is the Commission aware of reports that the
Vice-Governor of Savannakhet Province arrived in Ban Dongphoong with police and a pick-up truck to
arrest three Christian leaders or that Christians incarcerated in Udomsay prison have died from lack of
proper food or medical attention during the last three years? If so, could the Commission indicate what
representations it has made to the Laotian Government and whether any international organisations such
as the Red Cross are given access to prisons in the country?

Finally, what level of economic assistance is provided by the European Union to Laos, and is this in any
way dependent on respect for the religious beliefs of others or on more general adherence to human rights
norms?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(21 November 2002)

The Commission is well aware of reports that freedom of religious expression remains restricted in Laos,
including reports of members of Christian groups being persecuted and/or detained on grounds of their
religious affiliation.

While the Constitution stipulates ‘the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in religion’, the
authorities apparently restrict this right in practice, especially to non-Buddhist communities.

The level of tolerance of religious practice varies between regions. There have been reports of arrest and
detention of religious believers and their spiritual leaders without charges. Some Christians have also been
sentenced for gathering ‘to create social turmoil’. Some reports also mention difficulties for religious
groups seeking to establish new places of worship.

The Commission, the Commission Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with Lao People’s
Democratic Republic (PDR), together with the diplomatic missions of the Member States, follow this and
other matters relating to human rights in Laos very closely. In relation to the particular events mentioned
in the question, enquiries with Union and other partners in Laos have not yielded any reliable
confirmation.

At present, International organisations do not have access to monitor the situations in Laotian prisons. The
Commission has raised this issue with Laotian authorities on several occasions and has suggested that the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) be authorised to do such monitoring. Unfortunately, this
suggestion has not yielded any result yet.

The EC-Lao PDR Co-operation Agreement states in its first Article that respect for human rights and
democratic principles is the basis of our co-operation. Questions related to the respect for and the
promotion of human rights are addressed in meetings of the Commission-Lao PDR Joint Committee
established under the Co-operation Agreement.

The need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights, including freedom of religion, in Laos was
raised in the Union statement at the 58th Session of the Commission on Human Rights in March 2002.
The Commission also raised these concerns during the Commission-Lao PDR Joint Committee when it met
on 15 May 2001. With the opening of a Delegation in Laos at the beginning of 2003, the Commission
will be able to intensify its dialogue on human rights issues with the Lao Government further.

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According to the National Indicative Programme for Lao PDR, Community assistance to the country for
the period 2002-2004 is expected to total EUR 14 million. Taking into account the poverty profile of the
country, support will focus on the most vulnerable groups of the population, particularly ethnic minorities.
Rural development, health and primary education will remain the most important areas of EC development
assistance. A particular attention will also be given to the questions of human rights and ‘good
governance’.

(2004/C 11 E/026)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3114/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(30 October 2002)

Subject: Treatment of children suffering from HIV/AIDS in Romania

Can the Commission confirm reports that large numbers of children suffering from HIV/AIDS in Romania
are being denied effective drug treatment or access to hospitals on the ground that there are insufficient
funds, and, if so, has the Commission raised this issue with the Romanian authorities?

What is the extent of the economic assistance provided to Romania by the European Union, what
percentage is earmarked for healthcare provision, and are there any conditions attached to the aid?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(3 December 2002)

Romania has a high number of children with HIV/AIDS (1) (over 6 000 at the end of 2001) of which the
majority was infected between 1988 and 1991 probably due to transfusions of contaminated blood and
multiple use of syringes. While the number of HIV/AIDS cases for adults is on the rise and is a reason for
concern, new infections of children with HIV/AIDS are now reduced to a few cases per year.

The Commission is informed that in May 2002 there was a temporary shortage of medication, not because
of withdrawal of government funding, but as a result of a delay in the tender procedure for procurement
of these drugs. It remains true, however, that while medical treatment for HIV/AIDS is in general available,
in some areas of Romania occasional problems relating to access to medical treatment persist due to
temporary lack of funds.

In order to help the Central and Eastern European countries that have applied to join the Union to carry
out the reforms required, the Union is providing financial assistance in different areas. As far as assistance
in the public health sector is concerned, projects can be financed through the PHARE programme.

Under the PHARE National Programme a total of EUR 248,98 million have been committed for Romania
in 2001, out of which EUR 4 million are being spent in order to strengthen the Romanian system for
epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases. In 2002 a total of EUR 265,50 million
were allocated to Romania under the PHARE National Programme, out of which EUR 5,82 million are
earmarked for the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases.

It must be pointed out, however, that financial assistance under the PHARE programme concentrates
exclusively on priorities for accession, as defined in the Accession Partnership for Romania. The PHARE
programme focuses therefore on two main objectives: institution building, in order to ensure the effective
implementation of Community legislation (acquis communautaire), and acquis-related
and efficient
investment. Direct support and investment to improve the quality or the delivery of health services in
Romania are not as such eligible for PHARE funding.

(1) Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome.