EU to avoid condemning China human rights record

Date: 19/02/1998

By Mark Turner

TO THE dismay of human rights activists, EU governments are almost certain not to sponsor a resolution condemning China's human rights record in the United Nations this year.

"The political committee more or less agreed on a common line," said a Council of Ministers source after a meeting of the Union's political directors this week. "Subject to a last minute change of heart by ministers next week, the Union will not sponsor the resolution."

The news angered campaigners who claim concern over human rights abuses has been overridden by the rush for Chinese markets over the past three years.

"We are absolutely shocked that the will to have a common position is expressed as a decision not to condemn China," said a spokesman for Human Rights Watch.

The move is all the more surprising given the UK's presidency of the EU, in the light of London's pledge to keep a close eye on human rights in China after last year's hand-over of Hong Kong.

But following a recent trip to China, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook was "favourably impressed" that Beijing had "shown a willingness to discuss human rights questions", according to a UK spokeswoman, who added: "We would certainly back not putting together a resolution this year."

It is also looking increasingly unlikely that the Netherlands and Denmark will press ahead with their own bilateral resolution as they did last year.

When asked whether they would renew their earlier stance, diplomats from both countries refused to comment ahead of a meeting next week when foreign ministers will decide whether to endorse their political directors' approach. "We agree as well as anyone else that there is progress on these issues," said one Dutch official, speaking two days after Royal Dutch Shell signed a 4-billion-ecu petrochemicals deal with China. "It is very important to find a common line ... but this is still under consideration."

The US will now decide whether to pursue a UN resolution unilaterally.

Washington had been in contact with Scandinavian countries looking for co-sponsors for such a move, and will no doubt be disappointed with the new EU attitude. Whether it chooses to go ahead on its own remains an open question, although it will be under strong domestic pressure not to bow to Chinese bullying.

US-based Human Rights Watch insists that although China has taken "specific steps", such as allowing a visit by UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson and signing UN covenants, the country "has not shown any willingness to implement those commitments".

EU governments and the European Commission claim that UN-level resolutions are a blunt instrument. Officials say that they prefer to engage in what they describe as a constructive dialogue with Beijing on a range of issues, though this is often a very secretive process.

"What I am in favour of is a comprehensive policy towards China, and not a piecemeal one," said Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan, who is drafting a new Union strategy for the country.

"A comprehensive approach means that you engage China economically and politically. Our objective is clear: it is to support liberalisation and the opening up of the Chinese economy, to encourage the rule of law and to advance human rights. How you go about it is another question."

The EU will hold its first-ever summit with China in London this April.