WRITTEN QUESTION E-3179/02 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Persecution of Christians in Vietnam.
Date: 2002-11-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU relations, Viet Nam, cooperation policy, freedom of religious beliefs, religious discrimination

C 11 E/32

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

15.1.2004

(2004/C 11 E/031)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3179/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 November 2002)

Subject: Persecution of Christians in Vietnam

Is the Commission concerned at reports of systematic persecution of Christians in Vietnam? Does the
Commission have any information regarding beatings and imprisonment of Christians on the basis of
Decree No 26 (1999) designed to outlaw ‘superstitious activities’ or a campaign of oppression against
several hundred thousand Christians in the central highlands which has driven hundreds of them to
Cambodia or to the forests of Vietnam in order to escape?

If so, has the Commission raised its concerns with the Vietnamese government?

What is the level of economic assistance provided by the European Union to Vietnam and is this money
dependent in any way on respect for religious belief or more general adherence to human rights norms?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(25 November 2002)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its replies to Written Question s P-1502/02 by
Mr Dell’Alba (1) and E-2845/02 by Mr Panella (2).

The Community-Vietnam bilateral co-operation programme is based on the Country Strategy agreed with
the Government of Vietnam for the period 2002-2006, which aims to facilitate and accelerate the
reduction of poverty in a sustainable manner.

Under this Strategy, the Community-Vietnam co-operation will focus on two priority focal points:

(cid:1) enhancement of human development, in particular through integrated rural development targeting

some of the poorest provinces, and through support in the education sector;

(cid:1) integration of Vietnam into the international economy, by assisting further economic reform and

integration into international and regional economic structures.

Crosscutting themes include disaster preparedness, environmental protection, culture and education,
gender equality, and the promotion of human rights, and good governance. In the framework of the
agreed National Indicative Programme for 2002-2004, an indicative Community grant of EUR 101 million
has been earmarked to implement specified proposals meeting the objectives of the Vietnam Country
Strategy.

The Union’s policy towards Vietnam, as it is to all countries,
is to encourage and support continued
progress on human rights and democratisation, and to raise concerns where any abuses or a deterioration
in the situation is observed.

(1) OJ C 110 E, 8.5.2003, p. 18.
(2) OJ C 192 E, 14.8.2003, p. 81.

(2004/C 11 E/032)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3181/02

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Terrorism and the Middle East Peace Process

(7 November 2002)

The Commission is deeply involved in the quest for a solution to the Arab/Israeli conflict. Can the
Commission confirm that it has properly impressed on Chairman Arafat the need to use all his authority
to provide a window of opportunity free of terrorist attacks so that genuine negotiations on a two-state
solution can take place, and that it is in the fundamental interests of the Palestinians themselves to achieve
this?