92001E3272

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3272/01

by Raffaele Costa (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 November 2001)

Subject: Members of the Radical Party in Laos and respect for human rights

The regrettable incidents involving the detention of several members of the transnational Radical Party, including the MEP Olivier Dupuis, in conditions contravening the main standards relating to protection of basic human rights in terms of both conditions of detention and the failure to respect the right to a fair trial raises wider issues relating to universal respect for democratic principles. Laos plays a leading role in cooperation between the European Union and ASEAN. The European Union is committed to protecting human rights and promoting respect for fundamental democratic rules (known as the Copenhagen criteria).

In view of the above, would the Commission not agree that the implementation of economic cooperation agreements is subject to respect for and the protection of the main, universally recognised democratic principles by the parties involved?

Would the Commission not agree that, in the event of serious violations of humanitarian standards recognised as binding by the entire international community, under conventions as well as more generally, any agreements concluded with the perpetrator of such violations should be suspended, irrespective of the subject to which the agreements relate?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(11 January 2002)

The Commission has expressed on many occasions, both to the Lao Government and in the Parliament, its sincere pre-occupation as regards the human rights situation in Lao PDR.

Human rights issues, such as restrictions on freedom of opinion of expression, flaws in the system of administration of justice, as well the situation of individual political prisoners, will remain high on the agenda in bilateral meetings between the Commission and representatives of Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). On the occasion of the first Community-Lao PDR Joint Committee, which took place in May this year, the Commission raised its concerns regarding these issues and re-iterated the suggestion by the European Parliament Delegation, which visited Vientiane in April, that Union Ambassadors and/or the International Committee of the Red Cross be authorised to visit political prisoners.

It has to be taken into account, however, that Laos is the poorest of the Southeast Asian countries, with a gross domestic product (GDP) per capita of only US$ 350 and with 30 % of the population living on less than US$ 1 per day. Consequently, the development programmes of the Commission and of Member States focus on the most vulnerable segments of the population. Rural development, health and basic education are the main areas of intervention, with a particular attention being given to human rights and good governance actions.

The Commission therefore maintains a cohesive policy of constructive political dialogue with the Laotian government, paired with continued support to the Laotian population through Community-assisted development programmes, which aim to support and accelerate the democratisation process in the country.