WRITTEN QUESTION E-2042/03 by Marco Pannella (NI), Maurizio Turco (NI), Emma Bonino (NI),Marco Cappato (NI), Benedetto Della Vedova (NI), Gianfranco Dell'Alba (NI)and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Murder in Cambodia of Poul Vin, representative of the Sam Raisi opposition party and EU initiative with a view to elections on 28 July 2003.
Date: 2003-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Cambodia, crime against individuals, election monitoring, fact-finding mission, organisation of elections, parliamentary election, political cooperation, political situation, the EU's international role, violence

C 51 E/186

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

(2004/C 51 E/207)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2042/03

by Marco Pannella (NI), Maurizio Turco (NI), Emma Bonino (NI),
Marco Cappato (NI), Benedetto Della Vedova (NI), Gianfranco Dell’Alba (NI)
and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Murder in Cambodia of Poul Vin, representative of the Sam Raisi opposition party and EU

initiative with a view to elections on 28 July 2003

On the morning of 4 June 2003, Poul Vin (23), a representative of the Sam Raisi Party, candidate and
member in charge of the manifesto for the party’s electoral campaign and of monitoring of the electoral
process in the region, whose father has also been a leading member of the SRP for many years, was found
murdered in Bous L-hong (district of O’Raing Euv, province of Kompong Cham).

In view of the steady deterioration in the human rights and political situation in Cambodia in the run-up
to the 27 July elections, which will be held in the presence of Commission observers:

(cid:1) does the Commission not consider that it should warn the Cambodian Government that, should
criminal acts continue to be perpetrated, all
forms of EU cooperation would be immediately
suspended on grounds of manifest, continued and aggravated violations of human rights and
democracy, which are priority objectives of the 2002-2004 cooperation plan between the EU and
Cambodia?

(cid:1) does it not consider that such a warning, if given promptly and as a matter of urgency, before the
beginning of the election campaign, might finally constitute a practical step towards ensuring respect
for the law and the agreements which have been violated, as well as the smooth, non-violent and
democratic conduct of the election campaign and civil life in Cambodia?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 2003)

The Commission is monitoring the political situation in Cambodia very closely in view of the upcoming
national elections on 27 July 2003.

The Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) arrived in Cambodia in mid June 2003 with the objective
of making an independent and impartial assessment of the entire electoral process. The legal framework,
the independence and impartiality of the administrations involved in the management of the election
process as well as the political climate during the pre- and post-election period are some of the issues that
will be covered by the assessment of the Union EOM.

The level of violence during the pre-election period is a concern that has been raised by the Union both
during the elections in 1998 and in 2002. Although most observers agree that the level of violence seems
to be decreasing, it nevertheless remains a concern also for these elections and will be monitored closely.

The Union EOM which monitored the Communal Elections in 2002 concluded that irrespective of
whether the violence which occurred during a pre-election period could be deemed to be politically
motivated or not, it nevertheless influenced the electoral process in a negative way. The 2002 Union EOM
thus called on the Cambodian government to swiftly ensure that those responsible for criminal acts be held
to account.

In preparation for the 2003 National Assembly elections, the Government of Cambodia took a number of
steps to address this issue and adopted in January 2003 an Action Plan to enhance the security of the
upcoming polls. This initiative was followed up by a Joint Directive from the Ministry of Interior and the
National Election Committee (NEC) late May 2003. It reiterated the role and necessary co-operation of
local authorities at all
levels in the conduct of the elections (recalling obligation of neutrality and
impartiality, and of co-operation on all issues including security). Moreover, the NEC has initiated a public
awareness campaign against violence and intimidation through television advertisement. Effective
implementation of these provisions will be kept under scrutiny by all actors involved, and in particular
by the Union EOM.

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/187

While the Commission sincerely hopes that the presence of the Union Election Observation Mission will
help reduce the level of violence in the period leading up to election day, the Union nevertheless continues
to follow closely the situation and stands ready to undertake further action, if necessary.

(2004/C 51 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2047/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI), Marco Pannella (NI), Emma Bonino (NI),
Marco Cappato (NI), Benedetto Della Vedova (NI), Gianfranco Dell’Alba (NI)
and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(19 June 2003)

Subject: Violation of religious freedom in Laos: Christians arrested because of refusal to renounce their faith

Considering that:

(cid:1) the Lao Movement for Human Rights has reported that twenty Christians were arrested by the
authorities in Muong Nong in the southern province of Savannakhet between 17 and 27 May this
year, because they refused to renounce their faith;

(cid:1) those arrested, Haye, Pong, Souyvarn, Vad, See, Choulell, Tan, Ached, Aphad, Laheuy, Alsouylaheuy,
Varn, Saly, Asoul, Taliang, Avang, Alorn, Achee, Lahoum and Asouk all belong to the Bru (So) ethnic
minority;

for National Construction’, one of

(cid:1) this is the third wave of arrests since 3 April this year promoted by the provincial leaders of the ‘Lao
Front
the single-party government’s satellite organisations,
responsible for the ‘administration of religious affairs’ in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. In
particular three Christian leaders were arrested at Nong Ing and thirteen Christians were expelled from
their houses and villages in Muong Nong on 3 April, and fourteen Christians were expelled from their
place of worship in Kenkok on 29 April;

(cid:1) this campaign of repression against religious minorities in Laos is part of a State policy whereby
people must either give up a religion not recognised by the State, leave the region, be expelled from
their homes and villages or be arrested.

Knowing that:

(cid:1) these actions are contrary to the Laotian Constitution and the international conventions signed by

Laos.

(cid:1) the EU’s five-year plan for financial aid to Laos includes funding of EUR 14 million for the period

2002-2004.

Can the Commission say:

(cid:1) whether it is aware of the facts described above, the serious and persistent violation of religious
freedom and fundamental human rights and the infringement of the Laotian Constitution and the
international conventions ratified by Laos;

(cid:1) whether it considers that financial assistance to Laos may be made conditional upon respect for

fundamental human rights, based on compliance with the Constitution?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 July 2003)

The Commission is aware of reports that freedom of religious expression remains restricted in Laos,
including reports of members of Christian groups being detained on grounds of their religious affiliation.
This is despite the fact that the constitution stipulates ‘the right and freedom to believe or not to believe in