§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the achievements which have resulted from the policy of constructive engagement with the Chinese Government in respect of advances in human rights. [5696]
§ Mr. MacShaneSince our human rights dialogue with the Chinese authorities started in 1997, there have been some signs of progress. While these can not be attributed entirely to the dialogue itself, we believe that our dialogue with China, along with that of the EU and a number of other partners, has contributed to this process. Progress includes
Signature in 1997 and ratification in March 2001 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.Signature in October 1998 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.Meeting of a bilateral Working Group to promote the ratification and implementation of the provisions of the two International Covenants.Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, in November 2000 on the provision of human rights technical assistance. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contributed £60,000 towards first year activities which have included seminars on police and human rights, and reform of the system of administrative detention.A commitment to work towards abolition of the death penalty, and co-operation with a visit in September 2000 by members of the Foreign Secretary's Death Penalty Panel.Agreement to a visit to Tibet by the All Party Group on Tibet (although this has yet to be take place).The provision of greater information on individual cases of concern.The dialogue process has also facilitated a comprehensive range of targeted UK and EU funded programmes to promote positive change, particularly in the field of rule of law. In July, the FCO funded a Human Rights Law Month, including a Mock Trial, with senior participants including the Lord Chief Justice. Issues addressed by other programmes this year include promoting environmental rights in western China, the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, child rights in Tibet, the legal status of internal migrants and trade union rights.We continue to press the Chinese authorities to do more to promote greater respect for human rights across the board in China, including in Tibet.