WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432/03 by Frédérique Ries (ELDR)and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission. Human rights situation in Laos.
Date: 2003-07-22
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU aid, EU relations, Laos, aid system, bilateral agreement, cooperation agreement (EU), development aid, human rights, suspension of aid

26.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 51 E/247

Some food industry sectors have responded to concerns about salt and have taken steps aimed at reducing
salt levels in a number of categories of common processed foods. For example, retailers and manufacturers
in the United Kingdom have worked to achieve an average reduction of 13 % in bread since 1998, and a
reduction of 16 % has been achieved in branded breakfast cereals over the same period. Despite these
successes the United Kingdom food industry’s overall response has been criticised, the main criticism from
national authorities and consumer groups being the lack of reductions in many foods containing high
levels of salt, including those popular with children. Although Community legislation restricts the use of
salt in foods produced specifically for infants and young children, such as weaning foods.

On 16 July 2003, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation on nutrition and health claims (1).
This Regulation includes specific provisions for the establishment of nutritional profiles of foods that will
be allowed to use nutrition and health claims in their labelling, presentation and advertising. In particular,
the amount of total fat, saturates, trans fatty acids, sugars, sodium or salt, at variable levels, are commonly
cited as criteria for the ‘nutritional profile’ of products. The 2003 publication Diet, Nutrition and the
Prevention of Chronic Diseases, Report of a joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation, identifies an association
between the high consumption of these nutrients and some chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, several types of cancer, obesity, osteoporosis and dental disease.

(1) COM(2003) 424 final.

(2004/C 51 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2432/03

by Frédérique Ries (ELDR)
and Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(22 July 2003)

Subject: Human rights situation in Laos

On Thursday, 3 July 2003, the European Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the
immediate release of the Belgian journalist, Thierry Falise, the French journalist Vincent Reynaud, the
American pastor of Hmong origin, Naw-Karl Mua, arrested in Laos and sentenced to 15 years
imprisonment, and their Laotian escorts. This resolution was a follow-up to those of 15 February (1) and
15 November 2001 (2) in which Parliament had already called on the authorities in Vientiane to begin
democratic reform in the country and observe human rights and freedoms. However, it is evident that the
Laotian government is deaf to these appeals and that there has been no improvement in the human rights
situation. Although the release of the three Western citizens on Wednesday, 9 July may be reassuring,
there are grave concerns as to the safety and future of their four Laotian escorts. Furthermore, there is still
no news of the five leaders of the student Movement of 26 October 1999 who had organised a peaceful
demonstration in support of democracy.

Can the Commission confirm that any proposal to consolidate the partnership between the EU and the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic will be preceded by a detailed and thorough evaluation of the progress made
in the human rights sphere, beginning with the release of the five leaders of the Movement of 26 October
1999 and the four Laotian citizens arrested with Thierry Falise, Vincent Reynaud and Naw-Karl Mua?

Can the Commission say exactly how much Community aid has been granted under the cooperation
agreement since 1997 and where it was allocated, with particular reference to the 25 ongoing Community
projects?

Finally, is the Commission considering taking ‘appropriate measures’ under Article 19 of the cooperation
agreement of April 1997? In other words, does it intend to notify the government of the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic that it will invoke its right to suspend all or part of the bilateral agreement?

(1) OJ C 276, 1.10.2001, p. 281.
(2) OJ C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 577.

C 51 E/248

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

26.2.2004

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission shares the concern expressed by the Honourable Members about the human rights record
of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR). While it is content that a diplomatic solution could be
found which enabled the release of Messrs. Falise, Reynaud and Mua, the Commission remains concerned
with the situation of the four Laotian citizens arrested at the same time.

The Commission, through its Delegation in Vientiane and in close contact with the representatives of
Member States, monitors thoroughly the human rights situation in Laos.

As indicated in the Commission’s reply to Written Question E-2255/03 of Mr Dupuis (1), the Commission
has raised concerns on the overall situation of human rights with the Government of Laos on several
occasions in the recent past, including the issue of the five leaders of the ‘Movement of 26 October 1999’.
Unfortunately, such démarches have had limited results so far.

As regards Community assistance to Laos, this is being implemented in accordance with the current
National Indicative Programme 2002-2004, which focuses on the sectors of rural development, education
and health. Specific co-operation in the area of good governance, a crosscutting theme, is also proposed.
Overall, EUR 18 million have been earmarked for the Laos National Indicative Programme (NIP), of which
EUR 7 million have been committed by July 2003.

Since 1997, the Commission has committed EUR 20 million for bilateral projects in Laos, plus about
EUR 6,6 million for humanitarian aid, and EUR 6,7 million for assistance via non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) in the Environment, Health, Education and Food Security Sectors. The bulk of the
assistance concentrates on the northern part of the country where the majority of the population belongs
to ethnic minorities. The distribution of assistance per sector is roughly as follows: 65 % for rural
development, 25 % for social development (health, education) and 10 % for other sectors such as economic
co-operation and humanitarian aid. The Commission is available to provide more detailed information on
this issue to the Honourable Members upon request.

The Commission maintains a consistent policy of engagement towards the Laotian Government, aimed at
supporting change towards the democratisation of the country. This consists of constructive political
dialogue with the government, including on human rights issues, combined with continued support to the
It should be
Laotian population through Community-assisted development co-operation programmes.
noted that the Community does not provide direct financial support to the government.

As regards the possible suspension of all or part of the 1997 bilateral agreement, notably development aid,
this should be considered as a means of last resort, since such a measure would be likely to negatively
affect the many people whose rights are violated.

The Commission will be examining the human rights situation and its possible impact on EU-Laos bilateral
relations in view of the next Commission-Laos Joint Committee scheduled for Autumn 2003.

(1) See page 233.

(2004/C 51 E/270)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2441/03

by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Operation of the national competition authorities

(16 July 2003)

In its new approach to competition policy the Commission has taken the path of greater decentralisation.
Market operators are more dependent than in the past on the national competition authorities. This means
that the latter have a greater responsibility.