WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1130/98 by José SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ- NEYRA to the Commission. Human rights in China
Date: 1998-04-24
Institutions: European Parliament, SALAFRANCA SANCHEZ-NEYRA
Subjects: China, EU relations, UNO, company constituted under civil law, human rights, rule of law

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/19

(1999/C 31/021)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1130/98

by JosØ Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (PPE) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: Human rights in China

In the Commission(cid:146)s opinion, what is the state of human rights in China?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(9 June 1998)

Human rights in China play a fundamental role in Community-China relations. The Commission is fully aware of
the continuing concerns related to various aspects of the human rights situation in China. These include the fate of
individual dissidents, the extent of the use of the death penalty and the suppression of religious and cultural
freedoms, including in Tibet. In view of these concerns, the Commission(cid:146)s position, as set out in the latest
communication on China, (cid:145)Building a comprehensive partnership with China (1)(cid:146) is to engage China in a frank
and constructive dialogue on human rights. Whilst it is clear that China has a long way to go in reaching
acceptable standards for the respect of human rights,
the Commission also recognises the efforts and
improvements that have already been made. For this reason, the Commission considers that engagement is
more effective than confrontation in producing the desired results in this area.

The Commission has noted that there have been signs in China of greater tolerance of dissident activity as shown
in the run-up to the last National People(cid:146)s Congress (the appearance of open letters and petitions etc). There has
also been positive movement regarding the release of a number of well-known dissidents. The Commission also
welcomes the signature by China, and its announced intention to ratify, the United Nations Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and China(cid:146)s undertaking to sign the United Nations Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. The Commission repeatedly stresses that this must be followed by a full and comprehensive
implementation of both United Nations Covenants. China(cid:146)s commitment not to introduce the death penalty in
Hong Kong and to allow the Hong Kong authorities to report on their United Nations human rights commitments
autonomously are also encouraging.

Yet, ultimately, the real test for the state of human rights in China can not only be determined by the signature of
international agreements or even the release of particular individuals from detention. The real test is in the
everyday administration of justice within China and the way it affects ordinary citizens in concrete and specific
ways.

By engaging China in open dialogue together with the use of a variety of co-operation projects the Commission
hopes to be able to help strengthen civil society and promote the rule of law.

(1) COM(98) 181 final.

(1999/C 31/022)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1132/98

by Jesœs Cabez(cid:243)n Alonso (PSE) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: Drift gill nets

What are the reasons preventing the adoption of a decision to ban the use of drift gill nets by the EU fleet when
fishing for tuna and swordfish?

Why is this matter left unresolved, even though the use of such nets is known to have a detrimental effect on
fisheries resources?

What action is the Commission promoting in order to convert the fisheries fleet which would be directly affected
by such a ban?

What is the Commission intending to do in order to ensure that the Council of Fisheries Ministers reach an
agreement at their meeting in June which will bring about a ban that is both desired and desirable?