WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1130/98 by José SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ- NEYRA to the Commission. Human rights in China
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 Commissionís 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 Commissionís position, as set out in the latest communication on China, Building a comprehensive partnership with China (1)í 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 Peopleís 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 Chinaís 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. Chinaís 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 Cabezón 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?