EU expressed concern over China's human rights, including Falun Gong.

EU expressed concern over China's human rights, including Falun Gong.

Statement by Ambassador Joaquin Pérez-Villanueva Y Tovar, Head of the delegation of Spain on behalf of the European Union at 58th session of the Commission on Human Rights (Geneva, 18 March-26 April 2002)

Agenda Item 9: Question of the violation of Human rights and Fundamental

Freedoms in Any Part of the World

The transformation of China’s economy and the ongoing reform of the judicial and legal system during the last two decades have led to significant improvement in the country. However, through its dialogue with the government of China, the European Union has continued to convey its concern about the continuing violations of human rights in the country.

Whilst the EU welcomes some positive developments, such as China’s willingness to continue its co-operation with the UNHCHR and the European Union in the field of legal reform, no significant progress has been made in the overall situation, and the European Union remains deeply concerned
about the lack of significant progress in other areas. Widespread use of the death penalty has increased in the framework of the “strike hard” campaign, which has also resulted in further serious infringements of the right of due process of law of detained and accused persons. The Chinese authorities continue to withhold information about the impact of the campaign. Furthermore, capital punishment is used without respect for minimal legal standards.

The use of torture is still widespread. The deaths of detainees in police custody as a result of ill treatment inflicted are frequent. No progress has been made in reforming the system of administrative detention, including “re-education trough labour”, which lacks proper judicial process and often entails forced labour. There are still long sentences for the exercise of the freedom of speech, as well as restrictions on the freedom of press, including barriers to access to Internet.

Restrictions on the freedom of expression, assembly, association and religion are still in force. Worship is subject to serious limitations. Particularly worrisome is the treatment given to Christian groups.

The persecution of democracy activists, religious practitioners and Falun Gong practitioners is particularly harsh and has led to a great number of cases of torture and deaths in custody. The European Union remains extremely concerned about intensified repression against persons belonging to ethnic minorities in Tibet and Xingjiang. The fight against terrorism should be pursued with full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It should not be used as an excuse to curb the rights of persons belonging to ethnic minorities. Also of concern is the refusal to give the UNHCR and NGOs access to North Korean refugees. The Union calls upon China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The statements made by the Chinese authorities on their willingness to co-operate with UN special procedures and the ICRC have not yet been translated into any concrete action.

The European Union places great importance on the EU-China human rights dialogue. It appreciates the co-operation of China in this dialogue process.

This dialogue is not an end in itself. The European Union expects that this dialogue will produce progress on the ground and measurable results