Brussels, 16/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the 25th dialogue meeting on human rights with China held on 15 May in Slovenia (EUROPE 9660), the EU criticised restrictions to freedom of expression in China, and in particular attacks on freedom of the press (especially aimed at foreign journalists) and control of internet access. Europeans also expressed their “serious concern” about the situation and the way that human rights supporters are treated in China, where their rights are violated in many ways by the Chinese authorities. According to a press release from the Slovenian EU Presidency, the EU raised the question of human rights and the humanitarian situation in Tibet. China, while restating its traditional position, noted that the door to further talks remained open. The EU also called on Beijing to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to abolish the “re-education through labour” system and to release the remaining Tiananmen prisoners. According to the Slovenian EU Presidency's press release, China has “reiterated its commitment to ratify the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as soon as appropriate reforms to its judicial system have been put in place”. The EU also welcomed the fact that the number of executions in China fell in 2006 and 2007 compared to the previous years, and called on the Chinese authorities to make public statistics on death sentences and executions. The next dialogue meeting on human rights with China will take place under French EU Presidency during the second half of 2008, in Beijing. (H.B.)