During the 39th Joint Human Rights Dialogue Chongqing, the European Union(EU) has reaffirmed its ongoing concerns regarding principles of free fundamentals, labor rights as well as judicial independence and cases of forced labour in China.
This meeting followed that of Tibet on June 13-15 which happened on June 16.
“Freedom of speech, assembly and religion are restricted in Tibet” warned a press statement issued by the EU. It also described discrimination based on gender and rights, including those of LGBT persons.
The European Union meanwhile reiterated its clear opposition to the death penalty and called for a moratorium on executions as well as transparency from China concerning execution.
It insists that religious leaders should be chosen from interference by governments and respect religious rules particularly on Dalai Lama heirship issue.
Regarding Hong Kong, EU drew attention to vulnerable ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities such as Uigurs and Tibetans; how they have been affected by national security laws introduced last year which undermine their freedoms; consequently weakening their autonomy status.
According to this organization’s statement at the same time it expressed its deep concern about human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet involving reports of repression against human right defenders, lawyers or journalists.
It has also asked Beijing to stop committing acts with regard to human rights while investigating claims of arbitrary detentions enforced disappearances torture ill-treatment among others
This included citizens Gui Minhai (Sweden), Ilham Tohti (Uyghur Chinese scholar), Goserab Gyatso (Tibetan) and Tashi Dorje (Tibetan).
Also discussed was China’s detention of people exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief through peaceful assemblies or expressions like Xu Na Wang Yi Pastor Zhang Chunlei Ding Yuande Yu Wensheng Xu Yan Zhang Zhan Li Qiaochu Peng Lifa Camille Vait
Also said was that EU has urged for an evaluation of China’s national security framework to conform to international human rights law.
It recommends that Beijing should invite UN special procedures and monitoring bodies to evaluate and improve its human rights record.
In return, China spoke about EU’s refugee-migrant situation as well as racism in the country with reference to the economic, social and cultural rights aspects of it.
European Union has also disclosed some forthcoming European legislation targeting at requiring companies to perform due diligence on human rights as well as prohibiting the sale of products made from forced labor under EU market regulations.
The universal declaration of human rights was agreed upon by both parties while they touched on economic, social and cultural rights in line with civil and political rights. The involvement of the EU is connected with all kinds of violations being equal, interdependent and inseparable because every single one stands for a given person’s dignity.
As a result, they agreed at the end that there will be further exchanges in preparation for the next dialogue scheduled for 2025.
EU member states took part as observers while Paola Pampaloni who is Deputy Director Asia-Pacific region EEAAS represented Europe co-chaired this meeting together with Shen Bo who is Director Department International Organizations Conferences (DIOC), MFA.
