(2004/C 78 E/0800)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2737/03

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(11 September 2003)

Subject:   Human rights in Vietnam

Would the Commission like to comment on the human rights situation in the Central Highlands of Vietnam since we are currently receiving conflicting reports of, on the one hand, a general improvement and, on the other, individual cases of human rights abuse?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(10 October 2003)

Since February 2001, when social unrest spread in parts of the Central Highlands of Vietnam, independent and verifiable information on the situation has been difficult to obtain, as visits by foreign diplomats and journalists to this region have been severely curtailed. Consequently, it is difficult for the Commission to assess the current situation on the ground.

It should be noted, however, that the number of visits managed and organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has increased during the course of recent months. Such visits have been carried out, ‘inter alia’, by a local EU working level troika in June 2003, and by United States Assistant Secretary of State Arthur E. Dewey in August 2003. Despite their obvious limitations, the increased number of these visits suggests a higher degree of openness on the part of the Vietnamese Government as regards the situation in the Central Highlands. At the same time, the government is paying greater attention to the region, and attempting to tackle some of the issues that triggered the 2001 unrest, such as low economic prospects, over-dependency on coffee as a cash crop, lack of social services such as health, education, etc.

Yet, at the same time, there are several credible reports indicating that the social conflicts persist. For the most part these are due to — arising migratory pressures on the local ethnic minorities, aspirations for a greater recognition of their distinctive identity, disputes over land rights, diverse religious beliefs, and a desire for some sort of political autonomy for the region. Reports also point to heavy pressure on all forms of local dissent, affecting in particular local Protestants, whom the government suspects of supporting the creation of a ‘Degar Homeland’. While denying all these reports, the government is publicising sporadic trials against members of ethnic minorities accused of helping others to cross into Cambodia, which is a sign of continued dissatisfaction among local ethnic minorities.

The Commission will continue to monitor closely the situation in the Central Highlands, including through its participation in EU missions to the region, and to raise its concerns with the Vietnamese Government. It is also noteworthy that the Vietnamese Government has stated its interest in extending an invitation to a delegation from the Parliament to visit the country soon. Such a visit would provide the Parliament with an opportunity to assess the situation itself at first hand.