Brussels, 19/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - During Monday's General Affairs Council, the European Union agreed in a single voice not to co-sponsor the resolution on human rights in China that the United States was to present to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights that same day in Geneva. Its Member States will, however, vote in favour of this resolution if it is put to the test of the international Commission, and will oppose any "no-action motion", an artifice of procedure that would again allow China to prevent the vote. They also promise to "actively encourage other Commission members to do likewise".
This week in Geneva, the Union plans to restate more generally its concern about "the ongoing violations of human rights" in China, while calling on Beijing to do more to improve the situation "on the ground". This, says the Council in its conclusions, involves: - ratification and complete implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), as well as adjustment of the national legislation to achieve this (China has promised to ratify the latter convention but maintaining primacy of national law concerning the guarantee of trade union freedoms, regret the Fifteen); - enhanced cooperation with UN human rights mechanisms; - reduction of recourse to the death penalty, with a view to its abolition; - reform of the administrative detention system and respect of prisoners' rights, including the right not to be subjected to torture; - respect of the freedom of expression, religion and association; - respect of cultural rights and religious freedoms in Xinjiang. In the conclusions, unanimously endorsed by the Fifteen after Italy's reservation (on publication of this position) and that of the Netherlands (on the fact that the EU would not be co-sponsoring the American text) had been lifted, the Council expresses special concern about the "lack of respect for fundamental freedoms in China, including the freedom of expression, religion and association, about the ongoing violations of human rights of pro-democracy activists, proponents of free trade unions and followers of other movements such as Falun Gong, as well as frequent use of the death penalty", restrictions against unofficial religious groups and the deprivation of religious and cultural rights in Tibet and Xinjiang. The Council finally stresses that dialogue with China on human rights, although contributing to the reform process and to the promotion of the rule of law in China, as well as to enhanced cooperation with relevant UN mechanisms, is not an "acceptable option" except if "enough progress is achieved and reflected on the ground". The results of this process launched four years ago will continue to be assessed by the Council on a regular basis, it is stated in the conclusions.