92001E1384

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1384/01

by Marco Pannella (TDI) to the Commission

(27 April 2001)

Subject: Vietnam

On 10 April 2001 the deputy leader of the Unified Buddhist Church in Vietnam, the Venerable Thich Quang Do, informed the International Buddhist Information Office that the Vietnamese police had cut the telephone lines of the Thanh Minh Zen monastery in Ho Chi Minh City. Communications by means of mobile telephones were subsequently jammed, since when nothing more has been heard of Mr Thich Quang Do.

On the eve of the Ninth Congress of the PCV [Vietnamese Communist Party], Mr Thich Quang Do issued a call for democracy in Vietnam to the country's leaders, whom he asked to initiate a process, based on a broad popular alliance of groups and individuals of every political and religious hue, which would bring about a peaceful transition to democracy. Following this call, Mr Thich Quang Do was threatened with arrest.

What information does the Commission hold regarding Mr Thich Quang Do's whereabouts and his state of health? Has the Commission already taken (or does it intend to take) steps to remind the Vietnamese communist authorities of their obligation to guarantee freedom of opinion and association in Vietnam?

More generally, what action does the Commission intend to take in order to ensure that the new leaders of the PCV finally initiate the political and institutional reforms which will enable democracy, constitutional government and a proper market economy to be established?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(31 May 2001)

Mr Thich Quang Do has been located at the Than Minh Zen Monastry in Ho Chi Minh City. He is reported to be in good health, taking into account his age (75 years) and the fact that he suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

The Delegation of the Commission in Hanoi, together with the diplomatic missions to Vietnam of the Member States, follows closely matters of concern in the field of human rights and participates in all actions to convey the Union's concerns to the Vietnamese authorities. The Commission will continue to raise particular issues of concern in the course of these contacts.