§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had made to the Chinese Government about human rights abuses in Tibet. [252]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe British Government remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Tibet. It is a focus of our human rights engagement with the Chinese authorities both at ministerial level and through the regular UK/China and EU/China human rights dialogues. We use these dialogues to raise a wide range of concerns including key issues such as the freedom of religion, expression and association, the harsh treatment of dissidents and the erosion of Tibetan culture and traditional practices. We also raise individual cases of concern including that of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the Dalai Lama's choice as the 11th Panchen Lama.
We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to enter into a sustained dialogue with the Dalai Lama on a political solution for Tibet.