In Beijing Foreign Minister Tuomioja criticises human rights situation
Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen (Soc. Dem.) came to the defence of President
Tarja Halonen on Thursday, after her positive statements on developments in
human rights in China drew some criticism from Parliamentarians.
“The Government has the same view as the President of the Republic – that
there has been progress in human rights issues in China”, the Prime Minister
was responding to a question put to him by Green MP Tuija Brax during
Parliamentary question time.
Brax said that Halonen’s views expressed during her recent visit to China
were “incredible, or at least poorly explained”.
The Prime Minister pointed out that Finland has been working closely with
China to help develop that country’s system of justice. He said that
although Finland gave recognition to progress that has been made in human
rights, it also brought up some difficult issues.
Brax referred to reports by Amnesty International and others, according to
which the human rights situation in China has actually deteriorated.
She noted that users of the Internet, members of certain religions, and
political activists have been jailed.
Social Democratic MP Mikko Elo expressed concern about the increased use
of the death penalty in China. Lipponen responded, saying that Finland and
the whole EU are against the death penalty, and Finland’s Minister of
Justice Johannes Koskinen (Soc. Dem.) said that reducing executions has been
discussed during contacts with the Chinese Minister of Justice.
Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja (Soc. Dem.), who
accompanied President Halonen on her visit to China, had told Prime Minister
Lipponen that Finland had brought up human rights issues and problems during
political talks held during the visit.
On Thursday Tuomioja met China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing in
Beijing. The discussions touched upon human rights, and Tuomioja raised some
critical views.
Tuomioja asked about the possible ratification of human rights agreements
by China; the issue has been discussed for years, but there has been no
ratification. Deputy Foreign Minister Li said that preparations are being
made for the ratification of a treaty on civil and political rights.
Li explained that China takes the treaties seriously, and for that reason
ratification requires careful preparation and study.
Tuomioja also brought up the violations of the human rights of members of
the Falun Gong religious movement, which he said was a cause for concern in
Finland and the rest of Europe.
According to a Foreign Ministry press release, Li admitted that the human
rights situation in China is not perfect, but he claimed that Amnesty
International and other organisations are not giving the right impression of
the situation.
A group of Finnish Parliamentarians sent an appeal to the Chinese President
on Thursday calling on the country’s Government to end its suppression of
the Falun Gong movement, as well as other violations of human rights.
http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20021129IE4
Posting date: 30/Nov/2002
Original article date: 29/Nov/2002
Category: Media Reports
