Brussels, 15/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - At next Monday's General Affairs Council, the EU could decide not to co-sponsor the resolution on human rights in China that the United States is to submit to the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva the same day. A majority of Member States has decided in favour, but the Netherlands has asked for time to think, to take account of the parliamentary debate to be held in The Hague on the subject on Thursday. The EU should, however, vote in favour of the resolution and oppose a "motion of non action", that would enable China to prevent a vote in the Human Rights Commission.
The Council's decision will launch the annual phase of intensive lobbying between China (concerned at not being stigmatised by such a resolution) and the promoters of the resolution at the Commission on human rights in Geneva.