Ministerial Corrections

Tuesday 25th May 2010 Ministerial Corrections

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Tibet: Politics and Government

Tuesday 25th May 2010 Ministerial Corrections

[Norman Baker]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of Tibet (a) privately and (b) publicly during his recent visit to China; and if he will make a statement.

[Mr. Ivan Lewis]

During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to China he raised the issue of Tibet with Premier Wen and Foreign Minister Yang. He expressed our continued concern at the situation in Tibet, including the heavy security presence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion. He welcomed the resumption of the talks between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama but emphasised that the talks must be substantive to be successful.

Following his visit, the UK and China held a human rights dialogue. This was a further opportunity for us to raise our concerns about Tibet. In advance of the dialogue we have handed over a list of 42 cases, of concern, a number of which relate to Tibet, affecting 56 individuals.

[Official Report, 23 March 2010, Vol. 508, c. 218W.]

Letter of correction from Ivan Lewis, former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, received 15 April 2010:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 23 March 2010. The Foreign Secretary did not raise the issue of Tibet from Premier Wen, so the amended answer should read:

[Mr. Ivan Lewis]

During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary’s visit to China he raised the issue of Tibet with Foreign Minister Yang. He expressed our continued concern at the situation in Tibet, including the heavy security presence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion. He welcomed the resumption of the talks between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama but emphasised that the talks must be substantive to be successful. Following his visit, the UK and China held a human rights dialogue. This was a further opportunity for us to raise our concerns about Tiber. In advance of the dialogue we handed over a list of 42 cases of concern, a number of which relate to Tibet, affecting 56 individuals.

Tibet

Tuesday 25th May 2010 Ministerial Corrections

[Harry Cohen]

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he raised the issue of Tibet during his recent visit to China.

[Chris Bryant]

During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to China he raised the issue of Tibet with Premier Wen and Foreign Minister Yang. He expressed our continued concern at the situation in Tibet, including the heavy security presence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion. He welcomed the resumption of the talks between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama but emphasised that the talks must be substantive to be successful.

Following this visit, the UK and China held a human rights dialogue on 18 March 2010. At this we pressed for access to the Tibetan Autonomous Region for diplomats and journalists and expressed concern over the numbers in detention following the March 2008 unrest, and related death sentences. We also expressed concern over cultural rights and religious freedom in Tibet. In advance of the dialogue we handed over a list of individual cases of concern, which included 17 Tibetan cases. We have yet to receive a response on any of the cases.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has just published its annual report on human rights. China was once again listed as a country of concern. A copy can be found on the FCO website. In it I have made clear that promotion of human rights is a fundamental part of our relationship with China. Significant progress has been made in economic and social rights, with 500 million raised out of poverty in just 30 years. But progress in civil and political rights has been much slower. It is in our interests to help China move towards greater respect for human rights, transparency and accountability.

[Official Report, 30 March 2010, Vol. 508, c. 1001W.]

Letter of correction from Ivan Lewis, the former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, received 15 April 2010:

An error has been identified in the written answer given to my hon. Friend Harry Cohen, the former Member for Leyton and Wanstead, on 30 March 2010. The Foreign Secretary did not raise the issue of Tibet with Premier Wen, so the amended answer should read:

[Chris Bryant]

During my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's visit to China he raised the issue of Tibet with Foreign Minister Yang. He expressed our continued concern at the situation in Tibet, including the heavy security presence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and religion. He welcomed the resumption of the talks between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama but emphasised that the talks must be substantive to be successful.

Following this visit, the UK and China held a human rights dialogue on 18 March 2010. At this we pressed for Access to the Tibetan Autonomous Region for diplomats and journalists and expressed concern over the numbers in detention following the March 2008 unrest, and related death sentences. We also expressed concern over cultural rights and religious freedom in Tibet. In advance of the dialogue we handed over a list of individual cases of concern, which included 17 Tibetan cases. We have yet to receive a response on any of the cases.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has just published its annual report on human rights. China was once again listed as a country of concern. A copy can be found on the FCO website. In it I have made clear that promotion of human rights is a fundamental part of our relationship with China. Significant progress has been made in economic and social rights, with 500 million raised out of poverty in just 30 years. But progress in civil and political rights has been much slower. It is in our interests to help China move towards greater respect for human rights, transparency and accountability.