WRITTEN QUESTION E-3648/02 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Freedom of religion in Laos.
Date: 2002-12-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christianity, EU relations, Laos, diplomatic relations, freedom of religious beliefs, prison system

C 70 E/16

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

Representations have been made to Morocco in this regard but so far without any significant change
or elimination of the export restrictive measures. The Commission will look into the market and supply
situation of the products in question with European industry to verify to what extent the Moroccan
allegations of short supply can be corroborated on the basis of a factual analysis. Obviously, the burden of
proof to demonstrate that a shortage of supply exists is incumbent on the Moroccan side. The question
will then be raised during the next Association Council due to take place by the end of February 2003,
where the Commission will consider the possibility of
the Association
Agreement with Morocco to seek redress of the situation.

invoking the provisions of

(2004/C 70 E/016)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3646/02

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

(17 December 2002)

Subject: Detention of Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva

As the Commission is aware, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Leiva, the chairman of the Cuban Human Rights
Foundation and the Brotherhood of the Independent Blind People of Cuba, has been detained in prison in
Holguín, Cuba, since March 2002 (see written question E-1458/02 (1)).

Is the Commission also aware that he is being assaulted and beaten, and is in danger of dying of
malnutrition?

Will the Commission take action and bring pressure to bear on the authorities there in order to secure an
end to the violent treatment meted out to human rights activists in Cuba?

(1) OJ C 28 E, 6.2.2003, p. 109.

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(14 February 2003)

The Commission is being kept informed regularly of the situation of Mr Gonzalez Leiva. According to its
information the human rights activist weighed only 90 pounds at the beginning of January 2003 due to a
fast he began on 4 September 2002 and which he ended on 25 December 2002 in order to protest
against the accusations against him and other activists involved in the case.

The Commission has repeatedly drawn the attention of
the Cuban authorities to the situation of
Mr Gonzalez Leiva and the human rights situation in general. As with other partner countries, the internal
human rights situation is and will
relationship with Cuba.
The Commission believes that a policy of engagement and dialogue is the most likely to help bringing
about a positive evolution in this respect.

remain an important aspect of our

(2004/C 70 E/017)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3648/02

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

(17 December 2002)

Subject: Freedom of religion in Laos

As the Commission is aware, freedom of religion hardly exists in Laos.

Is the Commission also aware that between June and August 2002, at least 39 Christians were detained in
Laos because of their beliefs and that they are being held in prison under appalling conditions?

Will the Commission bring pressure to bear on the authorities in Laos to secure the release of these
prisoners and a change in policy on freedom of religion?

20.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 70 E/17

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(29 January 2003)

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.

In relation to the particular events mentioned in the question, enquiries with Union and other partners in
Laos have not yielded any reliable confirmation.

However, while the Laotian 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 also seem to vary between regions. There have been reports of
arrests 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 Delegation in Bangkok, which covers relations with the Lao People’s Democratic
Republic (PDR), together with the diplomatic missions of the Member States, follows this and other
matters relating to human rights in Laos very closely. The Commission has on several occasions
highlighted the need to strengthen respect for civil and political rights, including freedom of religion, in
Laos. The opening of a Community Delegation in Vientiane in 2003 will give additional opportunity to
raise our concerns in this field with the Lao Government.

(2004/C 70 E/018)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3734/02

by Caroline Lucas (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Aid and the survival of the Caribbean banana industry

(19 December 2002)

In June 2002 the ACP Council of Ministers meeting sent a resolution to the European Parliament, Council
and Commission which drew attention to the fact that the new banana regime had ‘resulted in prices
plummeting to levels which threaten to displace ACP suppliers, most of whom have no alternative
markets’ and were ‘already creating tremendous social and economic dislocation and eroding the
achievements in the fight against poverty’.

This problem results from the implementation of phase 2 of the EU-US Agreement which transfers
100 000 tonnes of quota from ACP (quota C) suppliers to dollar (quota B) suppliers, which effectively
increased the total volume of bananas entering the market by 100 000 tonnes, enabling EU supermarkets
to pursue a highly competitive price policy.

Will the Commission permit the Special Framework of Assistance and Stabex funds to be used more
flexibly to permit aid to be used, temporarily, in part to enable growers to have help in essential inputs
pending the economic benefits from improved productivity?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(28 February 2003)

The Commission has already discussed the price situation in the banana industry in several meetings with
its African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) partners and addressed their concerns.