WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/03 by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission. Human rights abuses in Laos.
Date: 2003-04-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christian, EU relations, Laos, bilateral relations, cooperation policy, freedom of religious beliefs, human rights, religious discrimination

C 78 E/28

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

3.

Has the Commission already made a complaint to the authorities responsible in China?

If so, what has been their reaction? If not, why not, and does the Commission intend to take action

4.
in the near future?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

1.
The Commission is aware that China chose to opt for specific duties rather than ad valorem rates for
a number of products, including photographic products. It should be noted that China’s use of specific
duties rather than ad valorem rates is not per se a violation of China’s World Trade Organisation (WTO)
obligations (even if China’s commitments (cid:1) the bound rates (cid:1) are expressed using ad valorem values).

2.
There would be a breach of China’s WTO commitments when the use of specific duties leads in
practice to rates higher than the bound ad valorem rates. Following contacts with some companies, this
seemed to be the case for a few specific rates concerning photographic products in 2002.

3.
At the end of 2002 and following contacts with some companies on this issue, the Commission has
raised the problem both bilaterally with the Chinese authorities and in the context of the Transitional
Review Mechanism. This is a WTO mechanism established in the context of China’s accession, the
objective of which is to review annually China’s implementation of her WTO obligations.

It has to be noted that this issue has also been raised by Japan, which appears to be China’s trade partner
with by far the main trade interest at stake regarding this issue.

The Chinese authorities undertook to seriously consider the request made by the Union and Japan,

4.
and we are thus awaiting the results of these official contacts.

(2004/C 78 E/0030)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1309/03

by Bill Newton Dunn (ELDR) to the Commission

(7 April 2003)

Subject: Human rights abuses in Laos

The Commission will be aware of the human rights abuses, notably the treatment of Christians, which
continue in Laos.

Has the Commission:

1. made representations to the Laotian Government?

2. other plans, to try to improve the situation?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

The Commission is 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.

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Official Journal of the European Union

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This is done despite the fact that the Constitution stipulates ‘the right and freedom to believe or not to
believe in religion’. 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 been sentenced for gathering ‘to create social
turmoil’. Some reports also mention
difficulties for religious groups seeking to establish new places of worship in particular provinces. In other
parts of the country both Catholic and Protestant followers are able to worship openly.

The Commission follows this and other matters relating to human rights in Laos closely and concerns are
frequently raised in bilateral meetings between the Community and Laos. The Commission also participates
fully in all Union démarches to convey our concerns to the Laotian authorities.

The Commission is fully committed to emphasising the need to strengthen respect for civil and political
rights in Laos, including freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion. During this spring, the
Commission will be opening a Delegation in Vientiane, Laos. This will increase opportunities to engage in
a more profound and constructive dialogue on human rights issues with the Lao Government.

(2004/C 78 E/0031)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1409/03

by Othmar Karas (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 April 2003)

Subject: Reform of European corporate taxation policy

The primary objective of European integration is enhancement of the prosperity of the Member States
through the elimination of the barriers between them to the free movement of goods and production
factors. The challenges confronting the European internal market in seeking to achieve this objective in the
field of tax policy are correspondingly great. EU measures in the taxation field must ensure that tax
systems contribute to the efficient operation of the internal market.

Parliament is fully aware of the complications facing small businesses in particular as a result of 15 (and
soon 25) different tax systems and of the resulting administrative delays and barriers affecting cross-border
activities and is critical of the administrative effort required by the various VAT rules and of the enormous
burden of paperwork on businesses deriving from the different systems of corporate taxation and countless
double taxation agreements.

What timetable and milestones has the Commission envisaged in order to make headway on this extremely
controversial issue?

What opportunities and possible difficulties at the implementation stage does it detect for the following
plans:

(cid:1) adoption and implementation of the EU tax convention (closure of loopholes, no tax relief for direct

foreign investment and holding structures);

(cid:1) coordination of corporate taxation systems with a view to reducing the international room for

manoeuvre for tax evasion (transfer pricing);

(cid:1) same rate of taxation for corporate enterprises, partnerships and one-man businesses;

(cid:1) reduction of the tax burden on the transfer of individually owned undertakings;