On Thursday 8 September the European Parliament adopted a resolution with 78 votes in favour to 5 against with 1 abstention on breaches of human rights in China, in particular as regards freedom of religion. The Parliament called on the Chinese Government to put an end to religious repression and to ensure that it respects international standards of human rights. A press statement from the European Parliament urged Chinese authorities “to allow access for the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to the Panchen Lama designated by the Dalai Lama.”
The Parliament called on the Commission and the Council to make clear to the Chinese authorities that a genuine partnership could only develop when shared values were fully respected and put into practice. The Parliament was also critical of the EU-China human rights dialogues, saying there was “disappointment at the lack of substantial results as regards this dialogue” and called for a “thorough assessment of its effectiveness”.
Full Text of European Parliament Press Release
Joint motion for a resolution on breach of human rights in China, in particular as regards freedom of religion
Doc. B6-0457/2005, B6-0461/2005, B6-0465/2005, B6-0469/2005, B6-0475/2005, B6-0477/2005, B6-0478/2005
Debate/Vote: 08.09.2005
In a resolution adopted with 78 votes in favour to 5 against with 1 abstention on breaches of human rights in China, in particular as regards freedom of religion, Parliament calls on the Chinese Government to put an end to religious repression and to ensure that it respects international standards of human rights as well as religious rights, guaranteeing democracy, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of the media and political and religious freedom in China. It urges the Chinese Government to abolish the difference between approved and non approved worship communities, as suggested by the UN Commission on Religious Intolerance since 1994. Parliament calls on the Commission and the Council to make clear to the Chinese authorities that a genuine partnership can only develop when shared values are fully respected and put into practice.
Turning to specific cases, Parliament urges the Commission, the Council and the Member States to raise the issue of the persecution of Chinese Christians, and to obtain from the Chinese Government information about the situation of Catholic bishops Mgr James Su Zhimin (diocese of Baoding, Hebei), 72; Mgr Francis An Shuxin (auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Baoding, Hebei), 54; Mgr Han Dingxian (diocese of Yongnian/Handan, Hebei), 66; Mgr Cosma Shi Enxiang (diocese of Yixian, Hebei), 83; Mgr Philip Zhao Zhendong, (diocese of Xuanhua, Hebei), 84; Fr Paul Huo Junlong, administrator of the diocese of Baoding, 50; Mgr Shi Enxiang (diocese of Yixian Hebei province), 83; also news about disappeared and arrested clergy, namely Zhang Zhenquan and Ma Wuyong (diocese of Baoding, Hebei); Fr Li Wenfeng, Fr Liu Heng, and Fr Dou Shengxia (diocese of Shijiazhuang, Hebei); Fr Chi Huitian (diocese of Baoding, Hebei); Fr Kang Fuliang, Chen Guozhen, Pang Guangzhao, Yin Ruose, and Li Shujun (diocese of Baoding, Hebei); Fr Lu Xiaozhou (diocese of Wenzhou, Zhejiang); Fr Lin Daoming (diocese of Fuzhou, Fujian); Fr Zheng Ruipin (diocese of Fuzhou, Fujian); Fr Pang Yongxing, Fr Ma Shunbao, and Fr Wang Limao (diocese of Baoding, Hebei); Fr Li Jianbo (diocese of Baoding, Hebei); and Fr Liu Deli; as well as Pastor Zhang Rongliang (53), one of the founders of the China for Christ Church, a group comprising more than 10 million Christians, who was arrested on 1 December 2004, and who is still imprisoned without any legal process. They should demand the unconditional release of all Chinese Catholics and other Christians incarcerated on account of their religious convictions and that the authorities cease immediately all kinds of violence towards them.
MEPs urge the Chinese Government to implement Article 36 of the Constitution of the People?s Republic of China and to ratify and implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. They note that the Chinese Government has finally accepted the request made by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Special Rapporteur on Torture to visit China before the end of the year. Parliament invites the Chinese Government to set an early date for this visit and calls on the Chinese authorities to allow access for the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to the Panchen Lama designated by the Dalai Lama.
Parliament welcomes the fact of having a EU-China human rights structured dialogue, but expresses disappointment at the lack of substantial results as regards this dialogue. It invites the Council and the Commission to raise these issues of concern during the forthcoming EU-China human rights session, as part of a thorough assessment of its effectiveness.