European Parliament
De Keyser (PSE ).
(FR)
Mr President, this afternoon in Laos the verdict has been reached in the case of three westerners. A Belgian, Thierry Falise, a Frenchman, Vincent Reynaud and their American interpreter of Hmong origin have been sentenced to 15 years in prison. That is a long time. Back in December 2001 we voted for a resolution criticising the arbitrary arrests and the political situation in Laos. We have a cooperation agreement with that country. I would like you to intervene on behalf of the European Parliament in order to achieve the release of these people as soon as possible; and this within the context of all the diplomatic manoeuvring currently under way in relation to this sentence, which violates the freedom of the press.

