Press Release: Statement by HR Catherine Ashton, on human rights in China

The EU notes with concern that on 4 February 2010, one year has passed since the prominent human rights lawyer Mr Gao Zhisheng disappeared from his home town in Shaanxi province. During the last year, the EU has repeatedly called on the Chinese government, at the highest level and including during its bi-annual dialogue on Human Rights, to reveal the whereabouts of Mr Gao, to give Mr Gao access to a lawyer and to allow Mr Gao to maintain contact with his family.