WRITTEN QUESTION E-0706/03 by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Vietnam suppresses freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate.
Date: 2003-03-10
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, Viet Nam, cooperation policy, democratisation, freedom of expression, human rights, right to demonstrate, the EU's international role, use of aid

18.9.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 222 E/229

(2003/C 222 E/258)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0703/03

by Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR) to the Commission

(10 March 2003)

Subject: Animal welfare

In July 2001 Commissioner Byrne stated that the Commission did not envisage any proposals to oblige
foie gras (answer to
changes in feeding practices of ducks and geese kept
Parliamentary question number E-1654/01 (1)).

for the production of

Does the Commission still have no intention of proposing legislation to ban this cruel and unnecessary
practice?

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001, p. 168.

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

The Honourable Member refers in her question to the answer given by the Commission to Written
Question E-1654/01 (1) by Mr Mulder in relation to the production of foie gras. The Commission is
currently dealing with many animal welfare issues, such as the protection of animals during transport and
the protection of chickens kept for the production of meat. In line with the reply given to Written
Question E-1654/01, the Commission does not at present envisage any proposal to oblige changes in
feeding practices for the production of foie gras.

(1) OJ C 364 E, 20.12.2001.

(2003/C 222 E/259)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0706/03

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(10 March 2003)

Subject: Vietnam suppresses freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate

Despite the repeated demonstrations of support from the Commission and the Member States for the ‘legal
reform strategy’ for Vietnam (cf. the reply to Written Question E-0003/03 (1)), the Vietnamese authorities
continue to break their international obligations by adopting fresh laws further restricting the exercise of
fundamental freedoms and rights. According to the Vietnam Committee for Human Rights, based in Paris,
major new restrictions have just been placed on the freedom of expression, following the adoption of
Decision 28 on Foreign Publications (Ministry of Culture and Information, 21 November 2002). This
decree lays down that publications from all non-Vietnamese organisations, including diplomatic bodies,
international NGOs, foreign businesses and even press agencies will be subject to state censorship. The
publication of press releases, Internet documents and any other documentation deemed ‘contrary to the
interests of the Socialist state’
to
demonstrate peacefully will be restricted in the near future. The official daily ‘Lao Dong’ (13 January
2003), reports that Minister Doan Manh Giao is currently preparing legislation banning public assemblies
in front of party and government buildings and offices, and punishing any individual who ‘uses complaints
or petitions’
to incite people to demonstrate. The law is particularly aimed at stopping peaceful
demonstrations by peasants and farmers protesting against public corruption and state confiscation of
land. Many peasants have been arrested following such demonstrations. On 21 October 2002, in Ninh
Binh (north Vietnam) all villagers were sentenced to prison terms of up to 13 years for having ‘provoked
social unrest’ and in December 2002, a further 21 peasants were arrested. In response to the peasant
demonstrations of May 2002, the Secretary-General of the Party, Mr Nong Duc Manh, stated that ‘the fact
that people gather with placards is abnormal’ and that in Vietnam, democracy had ‘gone too far in several
instances’.

(Article 22, SRV of the Press Law)

is now punishable. The right

C 222 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.9.2003

Is the Commission aware of the fact that the Vietnamese authorities are stepping up repressive legislation?
What measures has it taken or does it intend to take so as to prevent European tax payers’ money being
used to fund such anti-democratic measures? Do the Commission and the Member States tend to continue
to support the ‘legal reform in ten years’ strategy if Vietnam blatantly continues to misuse EU funds
destined for legal reform?

(1) OJ C 155 E, 3.7.2003, p. 206.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 March 2003)

The Commission is aware of the legislative and administrative measures referred to in the question and
that both the measures and the manner of their application (cid:1) which for a number of them has not yet
begun (cid:1) will need to be monitored closely in cooperation with the representatives of the Member States in
Vietnam. In the mean-time, the Commission has already received a report that Decision No 28 may be
reviewed by the Government of Vietnam.

The Commission can assure the Honourable Member that
its procedures for the preparation and
implementation of Community-Vietnam Cooperation projects and programmes ensure that there is no
possibility of Community funds being applied for any purpose other than those approved by the
Commission. The Commission remains of the view that its participation, together with other international
donors including Member States,
in the preparation of the Legal Needs Assessment will contribute
positively to the development of a modern and effective legal system in Vietnam.

The Commission, together with the representatives of the Member States, will continue to follow closely
the human rights situation in Vietnam and to raise specific concerns with the Government of Vietnam as
appropriate.

(2003/C 222 E/260)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0713/03

by Miguel Martínez Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(4 March 2003)

Subject: Funding allocated to the programme ‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’

In around December 1999 the Commission approved a programme co-financed with EAGGF funds
entitled ‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’
(‘Village feeling: rural women as
protagonists’), which was promoted and implemented by the Spanish Federation of Rural Women
(FEMUR).

Can the Commission say what amount of funding has been allocated to this programme and what stage
has been reached in its implementation?

Does the Commission know whether the organisation FEMUR has received Community funding for any
other of its programmes?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

As the Honourable Member states, on 7 December 1999 the Commission approved the pilot project
‘El Sentido de los pueblos: La mujer rural protagonista’ under Article 8 of Council Regulation (EC) No 4256/
88 (1) laying down provisions for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 2052/88 (2), as regards the EAGGF
Guidance Section, which includes pilot projects for promoting rural development.