§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will raise the issues of religious persecution and full access to China for United Nations Special Rapporteurs at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission. [HL2366]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Bill Rammell) made a speech at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights this year in which he noted the Government's serious concerns about the human rights situation in China, including freedom of religion. We believe the best way to tackle this and other human rights issues is through critical engagement. We regularly raise the issue of freedom of religion and full access by UN Special Rapporteurs with Chinese interlocutors.