§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Chinese Government regarding the pending execution of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche. [128185]
§ Mr. RammellI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Richmond Park Jenny Tonge on 20 March 2003Official Report column 881W.
We have noted the recent release of some of those arrested at the same time as Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche and shall continue to raise our concerns with the Chinese about this case.
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had and intends to have with the Chinese Government on holding trials of Tibetan religious leaders in the presence of international observers before sentence is passed. [128187]
§ Mr. RammellWe and our EU partners have made clear to the Chinese, authorities that all trials should be free and fair and respect due process.
We continue to urge the Chinese authorities to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
§ Mr. DhandaTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had and intends to have with the Chinese Government regarding its refusal to drop pre-conditions to negotiations with the Tibetan Government in exile. [128188]
67W
§ Mr. RammellWe have made clear to the Chinese authorities our view that a long-term, peaceful solution to the Tibet issue can be found only through dialogue and continue to urge them to engage in dialogue with the Dalai Lama. We have welcomed the recent visits to China by representatives of the Dalai Lama.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Tibet with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on 25 June, and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed the issue with the Chinese leadership during his recent visit to China.