§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chinese Government about religious freedom in China. [156235]
§ Mr. RammellWe raised the issue of religious freedom with the Chinese during the last round of our regular biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue held in Beijing on 10 to 11 November 2003. I personally discussed human rights issues more generally when I met with Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in Beijing on 17 December 2003.
We have repeatedly made clear that harassment of religious groups is unacceptable and not in keeping with the provisions of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, which we continue to urge the Chinese to ratify.
§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Chinese Government about their treatment of Christians. [156236]
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§ Mr. RammellWe are deeply concerned about religious freedom in China, including the treatment of Christians, and monitor the situation closely. We regularly raise this issue with the Chinese at the biannual UK/China Human Rights Dialogue; the most recent round was held in Beijing on 10 to 11 November 2003. I personally discussed human rights issues more generally when I met with Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui in Beijing on 17 December 2003.
We have repeatedly made clear that the harassment of Christians is unacceptable and not in keeping with the provisions of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, which we continue to urge the Chinese to ratify.