EU wrestles with dilemma over China

Date: 16/03/2000

By Shada Islam

WITH only days to go before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights begins its annual meeting in Geneva next week, EU governments are struggling to agree a united stance on China's human-rights record.

Member states are discussing a range of options, including suggestions that the Union should sharpen and upgrade its own so-far lacklustre dialogue on human rights with Beijing.

Diplomats say there is little enthusiasm in the EU for co-sponsoring or endorsing a United States' resolution censuring China, despite pressure for such a move from human-rights activists across the Union. After weeks of internal debate, governments are also still undecided on whether the EU should table its own motion on China or opt for the softer option of a Union declaration to be made at the UN meeting.

EU foreign ministers are expected to agree a common position on the issue at a meeting next Monday (20 March), but experts say a final decision by governments may have to wait until the 11th-hour when discussions begin in Geneva.

Dealing with China at the UN Commission has long posed a difficult foreign-policy dilemma for both the EU and the US. Beijing vigorously opposes any public criticism of its human-rights performance and is currently lobbying intensively against any international condemnation in Geneva.

It has traditionally prevented the adoption of a critical UN resolution by securing support for a so-called 'non-action motion' which prevents a vote, and is expected to make similar efforts this time around.

But human-rights groups say that even if a censure motion does not get past the discussion stage, the very threat of a resolution in Geneva helps wring concessions from Beijing, including the occasional release of prisoners, promises to sign UN treaties or steps towards legal reforms.

The EU and the US have taken a back seat at the Geneva meeting for the last two years, with the Union anxious to avoid a repetition of the diplomatic fiasco three years ago when EU governments squabbled acrimoniously and publicly over whether or not to criticise China at the forum. Denmark and the Netherlands finally decided to present a motion at the UN Commission, and Beijing retaliated with a range of trade and business sanctions.

Diplomats say that this time around, there is agreement that whichever option is selected, the Union will present a joint position in Geneva.

Proponents of a strong EU stance on Beijing say that despite Chinese promises to ratify the UN international convenant on civil and political rights and a separate covenant on economic, social and cultural rights it signed in 1998, the human rights situation in the country is worsening. Campaigners such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say Beijing is currently conducting "the most ruthless repression of dissent since the 1989 crackdown", including repressive actions against the Falungong movement, labour activists and Tibetan religious leaders.

Mary Robinson, the UN's high commissioner for human rights, recently angered Beijing by criticising China's performance in "the areas of freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of association".

In a statement made to the European Parliament last month, External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten pointed out that "distinguished Chinese advocates of democracy" strongly believed that a UN resolution on China would be a "valuable move - not least because of the message it sends to people in China itself". He added that while there had been a long-term improvement in economic prospects for many people in China, there was "a dark side to the picture as well".

Others say that the EU's marathon 11th-hour human rights dialogue session in Lisbon late last month also proved that while Beijing is prepared to talk about cooperation in the judicial area, it remains unwilling to change its hardline stance on all issues related to civil liberties.

The Union is now evaluating the dismal results of the Lisbon encounter. "We are asking ourselves if the dialogue can be improved and made more credible" said a diplomat. "The bottom line is simple: the dialogue has to start producing results. We want these contacts, but they cannot be at any price."

With only days to go before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights begins its annual meeting in Geneva, EU governments are struggling to agree a united stance on China's human rights record.