Laos deports European rights activists

Five European rights activists, one a member of the European Parliament, were ordered to be deported from Laos on 9 November 2001, after a court convicted them of attempting to spread unrest in the Communist-ruled country. The deportation followed a warning from Romano Prodi, President of the European Commission, that continued detention of the activists could cast a shadow over diplomatic relations between the European Union and Laos. The EU has given about £86m to Laos since 1986, despite concerns over its human rights record.