The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the most recent report by Amnesty

International concerning the continued violations of human

rights in China and Tibet and the large number of political

detainees still in prison,

B. drawing attention to the increased persecution of those who

practise their religious faith: Buddhists, Catholics,

Protestants and Moslems,

C. mindful of the problem of overpopulation in China, to which

a solution should be sought with full respect for human

rights, and therefore shocked by the reports that women are

sometimes forced to have abortions,

D. having regard to the declaration by the Council of

17 December 1991 on relations with China to the effect that

the Twelve and the Commission would refrain from taking any

trade initiatives in cooperation with China,

E. recalling its previous resolutions on violations of human

rights in China and its resolution of 22 November 1991

concerning the links between human rights, democracy and

development,

1. Calls for the release of all those whose only offence is

to practise their religious faith in accordance with

Article 36 of the Chinese Constitution of 1982 or who

peacefully advocate the establishment of democratic rights;

2. Calls on the Chinese Government to ensure that forced

abortions cease immediately and that those responsible are

brought to trial;

3. Appeals in particular for the release of: (a) the Catholic

Bishop Paul Li Zhenrong who, although sentenced to 15

years' imprisonment in 1957, was incarcerated until 1980

and was rearrested on 20 November 1991; (b) Lobsang

Tsondrue, a monk, Terpa Wangdrak, a monk, Terpa Phulchung,

an accountant, Bhu Penpa, an artist, all Tibetans, who are

detained in harsh conditions for long terms of imprisonment

for such offences as possessing a Tibetan flag, possessing

posters calling for Tibetan independence or for taking part

in peaceful demonstrations; and Tamdin Sithar, a 45-year-

old Tibetan, who was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment

in 1984 by the Chinese authorities, apparently because he

had in his possession a statement by the Dalai Lama;

4. Expresses its concern at the conditions in which prisoners

are held, in particular, the medical treatment available,

which seems often to be almost non-existent;

5. Calls on all the Member States to adhere strictly to the

position adopted by the Council on 17 December 1991;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the

Commission, Council, European Political Cooperation and to

the Government of the People's Republic of China and the

Dalai Lama.5(c)RESOLUTION B3-0156/92