§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise the question of human rights abuses in Tibet on the occasion of the forthcoming visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister. [27519]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe continue to have serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including Tibet. I take every opportunity to raise these with the Chinese authorities and will seek to do so with the Chinese Foreign Minister.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in(a) Tibet and (b) China. [27528]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe human rights situation in Tibet shows no signs of improvement. We are concerned in particular about reports of arbitrary detention, torture and the "re-education" of monks and nuns. We raise Tibet with the Chinese authorities at every suitable opportunity.
The overall human rights situation in China continues to be a matter of serious concern. There has been considerable progress in many aspects, for example in the ability of individual citizens to manage their own lives, engage in business, travel freely and own a home. China has also shown an increased willingness to engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms. But severe restrictions remain on the enjoyment of civil and political rights, especially the freedoms of expression, religion and association.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the reductions in human rights abuses in(a) Tibet and (b) China that have resulted from his policy of (i) constructive and (ii) critical engagement. [27529]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe dialogue process has enabled us to raise our concerns direct with the Chinese Government at senior level, and to press for change. It has facilitated324W a programme of projects in China addressing such issues as the rule of law, legal and judicial independence, child rights and human rights awareness.
The dialogue is aimed at encouraging long-term, fundamental change in China. It has taken place in an increasingly open and frank atmosphere, and has been accompanied by increased co-operation with international human rights mechanisms, including ratification in February 2001 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and a programme of co-operation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps he has taken to determine the fate of the Panchen Lama; and what assessment he has made of the authenticity of the recent photo alleged to be of the Panchen Lama. [27530]
§ Mr. MacShaneWe take every suitable opportunity to press the Chinese authorities to allow access to Gedhun Choekyi Nyima (the Dalai Lama's choice as Panchen Lama) by an independent and respected figure to assess his health and living conditions. It was last raised at the seventh round of the UK/China human rights dialogue held in London last November. The Chinese maintain that the parents of the boy do not want him exposed to international attention.
We have been unable to authenticate the photo released on the internet last October.
§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2001,Official Report, column 206W, on China, what the purpose was of the proposed visit of the Chinese delegation to the BBC World Service; when this visit took place; and if he will make a statement. [27509]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe visit to the BBC World Service by the Chinese delegation on 21 November 2001 took place in the margins of the seventh round of the biannual 325W UK/China human rights dialogue: one of the themes of this round of the dialogue was "the role of the media". The programme was organised by the BBC.