92002E0363

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0363/02

by Eurig Wyn (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(22 February 2002)

Subject: Human rights issues in Vietnam

People of faith in Vietnam are suffering oppression by State authorities. Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, who chairs the Administrative Committee of the Vietnamese Evangelical Mennonite denomination and runs many projects to help the poor and destitute, has been subjected to frequent intimidation and persecution. This is an attempt by the State authorities to dissuade the Pastor and his groups from conducting both religious and social activities.

In October 2001 Pastor Quang was given an ultimatum to cease his church activities out of his home/centre in Binh Khanh ward of Ho Chi Minh City.

Will the Council agree that in light of this, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration Of Human Rights And The International Covenant On Civil And Political Rights, giving citizens the right to enjoy the basic rights of human freedom of religion, expression and association are not being respected?

Will the Council therefore agree that steps should be taken to ensure that every Vietnamese citizen can expect to enjoy these basic human rights?

Reply

(25 June 2002)

The Council would refer the Honourable Member to its reply to question E-0145/02 put by Christine De Veyrac, in which it reiterated its position of principle as regards respect for the rights concerned, in particular in the case of Vietnam.

Furthermore, the Council informs the Honourable Member that the EU Human Rights Working Group based in Hanoi raised Pastor Quang's case with the Vietnamese government on 5 March at its official dialogue on human rights meeting.