Ashton Concerned About Human Rights Situation In China

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission has made the following statement




I am deeply concerned at the deterioration in the human rights situation in China. In recent weeks, a large number of lawyers, writers, journalists, petitioners, artists and bloggers have been subject to arbitrary arrest and other forms of harassment or have simply disappeared.

In this context, I am alarmed at the arrest of Ai Wei Wei. In other cases, long prison sentences have been imposed on dissidents. New restrictions have been introduced on the work of foreign journalists.

Arbitrary arrests and disappearances must cease. I urge the Chinese authorities to clarify the whereabouts of all persons who have disappeared recently. I call on China to ensure that the treatment of the individuals in question is fully in accordance with international human rights standards and the rule of law.

Finally, I urge China to release all of those who have been detained for exercising their universally recognised right to freedom of expression.
Edited April 13, 2011

The US Department of State released the 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Friday, April 8.??

Here’s the link to the China report:?? http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154382.htm
A pdf — 145 pages– is available at the link above?

And the PRC’s? Foreign Ministry’s? response (4/9/11):? http://www.fmprc.gov.cn./chn/gxh/tyb/fyrbt/t813808.htm

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And on April 10, China issued its annual report on the human rights situation in the US for 2010, full text available here:

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/10/c_13822287.htm