Published by: World Tibet Network News,Friday, Mar 15, 1996

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SESSION NEWS PRESS RELEASE

DOCUMENT DATE: MARCH 13, 1996

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Human rights meeting in Geneva (B4-282 to 284/96, B4-286/96

and B4-293 and 294/96)

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Wednesday, 13 March - Replying to a number of questions enquiring about the Council's human rights priorities for the meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights which begins next week in Geneva, Luigi Ferraris said the EU would be backing greater international cooperation in this field to ensure better protection.

On human rights abuses in China, a point raised by a number of speakers including Leonie van Bladel (Nl, PES), Jan Bertens (Nl, ELDR) and Noel Mamere (F, ERA), Mr Ferraris said the question had been addressed on a number of occasions with the Chinese authorities, although he refused to be drawn on whether the EU would be presenting a resolution on China in Geneva. He added that the Presidency was working to get concrete action from China, and it was up to the authorities there to act. The Minister added that a whole range of other human rights matters would be discussed in Geneva.

Jose Barros Moura (P, PES) hoped the plight of East Timor would be raised, while James Moorhouse (London South and Surrey East, EPP) returned to China and urged the Italian Presidency not to be put off too easily by one or two member states. The situation in Tibet was another major concern for Mr Moorhouse and he warned that Tibet was in danger of extinction due to further massive population transfers being undertaken by the Chinese. As far as China was concerned, Mr. Moorhouse felt it was time to think again about the balance between human rights, on the one hand, and trade and economic relations on the other. He also mooted the possibility of a code of conduct for companies doing business in China.

Vote: Thursday midday

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