WRITTEN QUESTION E-0746/03 by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission. Hmong Christians in Vietnam.
Date: 2003-03-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Viet Nam, freedom of religious beliefs, government violence, protection of minorities, religious discrimination, religious group

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the 7th and 8th EDFs have been devoted to tourism
Other resources (about EUR 10 million) of
development under national programmes for countries like Surinam, Dominica and the Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Only one country, Grenada, has identified tourism as focal sector under the 9th EDF. A small
EUR 3,2 million project, centred on the renovation of a fort, has been envisaged.

No funds have been allocated through the EDF for capital
Caribbean in order to support new economic infrastructure.

investments in the tourism sector in the

Even if not specifically targeted on the tourism sector, some resources have been devoted to the tourism
sector through national/regional or all-ACP programmes aiming at supporting the strengthening of local
enterprises
respect, one can note the
EUR 0,8 million awarded by the Union-ACP Business Assistance Scheme (EBAS) programme to Caribbean
tourist operators (associations, hotels, tour operators, etc.).

to business development

through access

services.

In that

Only the European Investment Bank (EIB) (cid:1) not the Commission (cid:1) directly supports private capital
investments. As far as the EIB is concerned, the institution tries to limit its direct support to projects
having a significant socio-economic benefit, especially when promoted by local operators. In this respect
based on data available to end 2001, only two EIB direct loans are relevant, both with local promoters: in
Anguilla: The Great House (cid:1) EUR 1,5 million and in Grenada The Resort Hotel for EUR 1,5 million (cid:1)
both projects were financed from risk capital resources.

Through its global loans to financial intermediaries the Bank has also supported around 70 small hotels
mostly owned and managed by indigenous non-foreign-chain affiliated small and medium-sized enterprises
(SME’s). While such support for this indigenous private sector investment in the sector is very appropriate,
it does, however, mean that the Bank is most exposed in that part of the hotel sector that is the least
profitable and the most risky.

The Community is committed to pursuing its support of the tourism sector in the future.

As far as the possible impact on the European destinations, one can point out the following elements:

(cid:1) The Caribbean is a specific tourist destination, which means it is unlikely to be a direct competitor for
most European markets. Moreover, one can be reasonably confident that tourist demand will continue
to increase, as it has done consistently over time despite the recent fluctuation. Under these conditions
there should be no cause for concern about the possible negative impact of new competitors in the
tourist market. Their presence should absorb increased demand and provide an incentive for European
destinations to improve the quality of their provision within a competitive market;

(cid:1) Strengthening the local operators and associations can benefit European tourist operators, in that they

will be able to enter more easily in partnership with reliable local partners;

(cid:1) Through the development and enforcement of environmental, health and safety standards in
the 8th EDF Caribbean Regional Sustainable Tourism
conformity with international practices,
Development Program will contribute to the establishment of responsible tourism and fair trade in
tourism in the Caribbean, which are essential factors for a fair competition among all destinations.

(2004/C 33 E/073)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0746/03

by Jillian Evans (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject: Hmong Christians in Vietnam

The suffering of Hmong Christians in Vietnam has been brought to my attention. Contrary to Article 18 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, these people are not allowed the freedom of
religious practice, and are apparently persecuted by public security police, border police and even political

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leaders, all of whom compel the Hmong Christians to abandon their faith. Families have been evicted from
their homes, and some, such as Mr Mua Bua Senh, have died (cid:1) apparently as a result of injuries inflicted
as he refused to leave his family home.

It is unacceptable that people, regardless of their creed, be subjected to such intolerance and persecution,
and I would ask the Commission whether, in view of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, it is acceptable that Vietnamese citizens
be treated in this manner.

Has the Commission updated its policy with regard to relations with Vietnam, and is it pressing the
Vietnamese authorities to adopt national laws in accordance with the principles of Article 18 to ensure that
Vietnamese citizens do not suffer such persecution and are able to live their lives free of repression
regardless of faith or race?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 April 2003)

The Constitution of Vietnam guarantees freedom of belief and religion. Vietnam’s government officially
recognises six religions (cid:1) one Buddhist organisation, the Central Buddhist Church of Vietnam, the Catholic
Church, two Protestant church organisations, Islam, Hoa Hao Buddhism and Cao-Daism.

The total population of Vietnam is estimated at 78,5 millions. The official figure for active Buddhists is
stated at 7,5 million, and up to roughly half of the Vietnamese claim to be Buddhists and practice
Buddhism. There are between 6 and 7 million practising Catholics and around 1 million of practising
Protestants. The number of Protestants, especially in the South of Vietnam and amongst the ethnic
minority population in rural areas, has grown rapidly in recent years. The remaining four religions are
reported to have about 2,5 million adherents in total, including around 70 000 Muslims.

The Vietnamese Constitution also specifies that ‘it is forbidden to violate freedom of belief or religion, or
to take advantage of it or to act against the laws or policies of the State’. This provision is attributed to the
desire of the Vietnamese authorities to control the pace of change and to maintain cohesion in their
society during the process of transition to a market economy. As the authorities of Vietnam perceive
notably unapproved religious movements as an element of political opposition and of disunity, this
limitations, prohibitions and sanctions that restrict
provision is frequently invoked to justify controls,
freedom in this field.

Reports of harassment of some Christians in Vietnam (especially against the Montagnard Christians and
Hmong Christians) have increased since the violent uprising in the Central Highlands in February 2001. A
number of reports have alleged repeated actions by the security forces aimed at forcing highlanders to
renounce their faith. These reports and reports of accidental deaths or beatings under police custody are
denied by the Vietnamese authorities. It has not so far been possible to obtain independent confirmation of
such reports.

The Commission shares the worries expressed by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in July
2002 regarding Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee
noted that the information provided by Vietnam was insufficient to have a clear view of the situation in
the country with regard to religious freedom. In the light of the information available that certain religious
practices are repressed or strongly discouraged in Vietnam, the Committee expressed serious concern that
Vietnam’s State party practice in this respect does not meet the requirements of article 18 of the Covenant.

The Commission’s policy towards Vietnam is to encourage and support progress on human rights and
democratisation, and to raise concerns where abuses occur or where a deterioration in the situation
becomes evident. The Commission works closely with the Member States to monitor closely human rights
developments in the country and participates in all Union démarches to the Government of Vietnam on
human rights issues.

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The Commission welcomes the decision of the Government of Vietnam to elaborate an action plan for
legal reform, based on the Legal Means Assessment, which has been established with the support of the
international donor community. The Union, Commission together with the Member states, has repeatedly
urged the Government of Vietnam to strengthen its respect for political and religious freedoms, as well as
to further strengthen economic and social
in its
declaration at the Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi in December 2002. Moreover, the Commission
and the Member States have declared that they will welcome any possibility to support the Vietnamese
government in measures to strengthen the governance and public administrative reforms, to improve
human rights, to prepare for the signing and implementation of additional international conventions in
human rights and in other areas where assistance could be helpful.

freedoms. The Union has expressed this request

The Commission Delegation, together with the representatives of the Member States, will continue to
follow closely the human rights situation in Vietnam and take appropriate action.

(2004/C 33 E/074)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0770/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Commission

(6 March 2003)

Subject: Suspected infringement procedures and recording of infringements notified to the Italian Republic

pursuant to Article 85 of the EC Treaty

With reference to Article 85 of the EC Treaty:

(cid:1) will the Commission give details of the number and nature of the suspected infringement proceedings
notified to the Italian Republic and, in each case, will it say when the procedure was opened and for
what infringement, whether it was initiated at the request of a Member State or automatically and
what stage it has now reached?

(cid:1) will the Commission say whether infringements have been recorded for which the Italian Republic has
not yet adopted the necessary corrective measures and, in each case, will it say when the procedure
was opened, and for what infringement, whether it was initiated at the request of a Member State or
automatically, and what measures the Commission asked to be adopted and when?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(8 April 2003)

The Commission took one formal decision within the meaning of Article 85 (2) of the EC Treaty in 1987
with regard to Alitalia.

For the rest, the Commission does not have sufficient details of the matter to be able to investigate the
problem raised and is not, therefore, in a position to answer the question at the moment. It would ask the
Honourable Member to specify its question. Article 85 of the EC Treaty does not provide for any
notification to Member States.

(2004/C 33 E/075)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0771/03

by Marco Cappato (NI) to the Commission

(6 March 2003)

Subject: Right to religious freedom in Cambodia

Last Friday the Ministry for Religious Affairs of Cambodia adopted a directive forbidding all public
proselytising activities. The provision is clearly aimed at preventing possible religious tensions and
protecting the privacy of the Cambodian people. The government’s initiative appears to have been