Written Answers. - Human Rights.
John Gormley
Ceist:
92
Mr. Gormley
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the reason the European Union did not confront China on the question of human rights at the annual session on human rights in Geneva; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[8964/99]
At our meeting of 21-22 March last, the EU Foreign Ministers reviewed human rights policy towards China, with particular attention focusing on the results of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue over the past twelve months. The question of our approach to China at this year's session of the UN Commission on Human Rights was also addressed.
The House will recall that the Council of Ministers decided not to table a resolution on China at last years session of the commission because the Chinese authorities had taken a number of positive steps which had given rise to hopes for a genuine improvement in the human rights situation there.
Since then, we have witnessed some positive developments. These included China's increased co-operation with the UN human rights system, including the signing of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the visits by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The Chinese authorities also agreed to report on Hong Kong under the two International Covenants, while the EU Troika ambassadors were granted access to Tibet in May 1998. There have also been further rounds of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue during which issues such as the use of the death penalty, the practice of administrative detention, the restrictions on religious freedom as well as the lack of freedom of assembly, expression and association, have been addressed.
On the other hand, the Council of Ministers is very concerned about the lack of genuine improvements in the human rights situation on the ground. We were particularly alarmed by the crackdown on peaceful political activists last December. We are also concerned about the lack of tangible results arising from the Human Rights Dialogue. This dialogue is not, and cannot be allowed to become, an end in itself but must result in genuine improvements on the ground. We have called for, and expect, the early ratification and implementation of the two UN Covenants as a sign of China's commitment to guarantee the freedoms set out therein. The EU also looks forward to the establishment of a technical co-operation programme with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as part of an effective follow-up to her visit last September.
The EU Foreign Ministers consider that, on balance, the results of the policy of dialogue and co-operation with China have been positive. We will, therefore, continue to pursue our human rights objectives through these means and a resolution on the human rights situation in China will not be tabled by the EU at the 55th session of the Commission on Human Rights, which is currently taking place in Geneva.
We will, however, express publicly our growing concerns about human rights in China at this and other relevant human rights fora. On 23 March, the German Foreign Minister, Mr. Fischer, addressing the Commission on behalf of the EU, said:
the general human rights situation in China, such as for example the frequent imposition of the death penalty – which by international standards is handed down with unparalleled frequency – or the practice of administrative detention, still does not comply with established international standards.
The action taken against political dissidents in China has placed a great strain on the European-Chinese dialogue on human rights. We regard the very severe prison sentences imposed upon civil rights activists as unacceptable, especially as these activists merely exercised the rights guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights signed by China last year.We are likewise concerned about the situation of minorities, particularly in Tibet.
The EU therefore urges the Chinese Government to ensure that progress in the international sphere is followed by concrete improvements in the human rights situation and in respect of democracy and the rule of law . . .
The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, associated Ireland with these remarks when she addressed the commission the following day.
Our collective concerns about the situation in China will be set out in greater detail by the Presidency during the course of this year's commission, both in its general country statement to be delivered in the coming days under item 9 and during the various debates on thematic human rights issues which are of direct relevance to the situation in China.
The Foreign Ministers of the EU will, of course, continue to keep this policy under regular review in the light of developments in China.
