On Thursday 6 July, MEPs called on the Chinese government to release the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo immediately and unconditionally, and to allow him to be treated for his cancer where he wishes. They also called for the immediate release of Lee Ming-che, given that no credible evidence has been brought concerning the allegations that he was engaged in activities threatening national security.
In a joint resolution from the Greens/EFA, S&D, ALDE, ECR and EPP Groups on "the cases of Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo and Lee Ming-che", MEPs also call for the house arrest of Liu Xiaobo's wife to be lifted and for Liu Xiaobo to have unlimited access to his family, friends and legal advisers. In the face of international pressure, China asked foreign doctors on 5 July to visit Liu Xiaobo's bedside as he has terminal liver cancer. He has been placed on parole (see EUROPE 11821).
The Chinese authorities should supply information on the exact location of Taiwanese activist Lee Ming-che, and ensure at the same time that he is protected against torture and other ill-treatment. They should also ensure that he is authorised to meet his family and a lawyer of his choice, and to benefit from adequate medical care, Parliament adds.
More generally, underlining their concern at "the Chinese government’s continued efforts to silence civil society actors, including human rights defenders, activists and lawyers", the European Parliament highlights the importance of "the EU raising the issue of human rights violations in China during every political and human rights dialogue with the Chinese authorities". The member states should not therefore undertake initiatives or unilateral measures likely to damage the cohesion, effectiveness and consistency of EU action, the MEPs add.
The European Parliament also encourages Beijing to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and to respect the commitments taken with the signature of several international treaties on human rights. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)