§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigation his Department has(a) instigated and (b) evaluated into the allegations made by Fr. Joseph Jin Dechen in respect of forced abortions in the Chinese population control programme. [28964]
§ Mr. GoodladWe are deeply concerned by the reports of enforced abortion in China on which we receive information from a number of sources including NGOs. We raise these matters with the relevant Chinese authorities, and we are in contact with the UN agencies working in this area in China. We will continue to monitor the activities of the Chinese population control programme.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what written briefing material he will be making available to those attending the UN conference on women in Beijing in respect of human rights abuses against women by the Chinese Government. [28947]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe UK delegation will be provided with briefing covering issues to be raised at the conference. A general background brief is also being prepared and will be available to other participants.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current arrangements for non-governmental organisations in respect of the UN conference on women in Beijing. [28949]
21W
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe welcome the conclusion of recent negotiations and the acceptance of Huairou as the site for Forum '95 by the convenor of the non-governmental organisations facilitating committee. The provision of additional accommodation and transport should facilitate the effective exchange of views between the United Kingdom delegation and British NGOs.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make further representations to the Chinese Government to request them to lift all restrictions on the movement and freedom of Fr. Joseph Jin Dechen. [28950]
§ Mr. GoodladWe continue to be extremely concerned about abuses of human rights in China, including the persecution of religious believers such as Fr. Joseph Jin Dechen. We will continue to use every suitable opportunity to express our concerns to the Chinese authorities, both bilaterally and in conjunction with our European partners.