HC Deb 23 February 1999 vol 326 cc263-4W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the human rights advances which have followed the introduction of his policy of constructive engagement with the Chinese Government. [72242]

Mr. Fatchett

Since the UK/China human rights dialogue was established in September 1997, and the EU/China human rights dialogue resumed in October 1997, China has taken several positive steps. These include signature of two international covenants and agreement to report to the UN under those covenants in respect of Hong Kong. It has received visits by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, as well as allowing a visit to Tibet by EU Troika Ambassadors. It has also extended an invitation to visit to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. We have been able to discuss issues of serious concern including the death penalty, religion, Tibet and individual cases. China has begun to collaborate with the UK and EU on human rights cooperation programmes, which include projects in the areas of Civil and Political as well as Economic and Social rights, and has hosted two EU/China legal affairs seminars and a seminar on the rights of women.

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