Vol. 488 No. 1
96 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with human rights in China following his recent visit there and in view of the reports of substantial numbers of human organs from Chinese prisoners being sold in the United States of America. [5720/98]
My recent official visit to the People's Republic of China from 24-28 February enabled me to confirm that while human rights in China continue to be unsatisfactory in many ways, developments which have taken place over the year have given rise to hopes for improvement. Among the positive steps which have been taken by the Chinese authorities in recent months are: the EU-China human rights dialogue was resumed last October and a package of practical measures to assist the development of human rights in China is being put together in this context; China signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights last October; the prominent political dissident, Wei Jingsheng, was released from prison last November; the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, has been formally invited to visit China and China has recently granted unprecedented access to the UN working group on Arbitrary Detention.
China has also agreed to the holding of the first EU-China summit which will take place in London on 2 April next, and I understand that human rights will be a significant issue at that meeting.
In the course of my visit to China, I raised the issue of human rights both with Prime Minister Li Peng and Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister Qian Qichen. I also took up the question of human rights in Hong Kong in my meeting with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Tung Chee-hwa.
My raising of human rights in every appropriate meeting during my visit was in keeping with the EU policy of constructive engagement as representing the best means of ensuring respect for human rights in China.
With regard to the alleged removal of body organs from executed prisoners for use in transplant surgery, I understand that Chinese officials claim that consent for such removal of organs is required in advance from the prisoners who are about to be executed or from their next of kin. It does not appear to be possible for human rights organisations to determine whether such consent is given. With regard to the reported sale of body organs from China in foreign countries, including the United States, I am very concerned at these reports and I am making appropriate inquiries to determine their veracity.
97 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the considerable evidence of the abuse of human rights in Kenya; and the steps, if any, taken by him, either bilaterally or through the EU, to highlight these abuses and to press for a proper recognition of human rights in Kenya. [5721/98]
The Government and our EU partners consider human rights reform in Kenya to be essential alongside broader constitutional reforms in that country, particularly following the outcome of the national elections held there on 29 December last. We are, therefore, actively engaged in efforts aimed at ensuring that the country can undergo meaningful democratic transition with full regard for human rights and the rule of law.
Along with our European partners, the Government has strongly stated our position on the creation of such an open political climate at last April's 53rd Session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and at the 52nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September. The EU's concerns are also being pursued directly with the Kenyan authorities by resident EU Ambassadors and their colleagues from countries such as the United States, Canada and Japan, who are members of the international Donors Democratic Development Group in Nairobi. Since last April, the Government has granted a total of £91,520 to NGO projects supporting human rights and voter education programmes at local level in Kenya.
While welcoming the legislative reform package introduced in November following negotiations by the Kenyan Inter-Party Parliamentary Group, the EU has, in its Declaration of 6 January 1998, recognised that it was not introduced with adequate time to take full effect before the December elections. Despite obvious short-comings in the conduct of the elections, it is the hope of the Union that they can yet prove to have been a further step towards greater democracy. We, therefore, wish to see the measures agreed by the interparliamentary group and the process of constitutional review implemented fully in a genuinely inclusive, consultative and open manner. We consider such an approach essential to achieve the broadest possible consensus on the country's future political institutions. We also consider that effective action should be taken by the Kenyan authorities both to prevent human rights violations and to bring those responsible for them to justice.
The Government and our European partners will continue to press for the realisation of full human rights observance and full transition to democratic government in Kenya including at this year's session of the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.
