(TibetanReview.net, Dec10, 2017) – Ahead of the anniversary on Dec 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is also marked as World Human Rights Day, the European Union called on China to stop arresting human rights defenders and allow local and foreign NGOs to operate freely within the country, adding that the situation had deteriorated over the last year.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is signed by all members of the United Nations. However, China insists that, in its case, this declaration is all about rights to subsistence and development, claiming enormous achievements in it, and nothing much else.
“During the past year, we have been deeply troubled by the deterioration of the situation with respect to freedom of information and freedom of expression and association, including with respect to online activity,” the EU said in a statement.
The statement also expressed alarm over arrests and sentences given to human rights defenders, lawyers and other citizens, while also stressing the need for freedom of religions and beliefs, referring specifically to the province of Xinjiang – home to the Muslim Uighur minority – and Tibet.
The EU also asked China to ensure fairness in tis criminal justice administration system, allowing detainees access to their lawyers and family members and ending forced and public confessions, tortures or other mistreatment.
The statement criticized China for its responsibility for the custodial death on Jul 13 of the Nobel Peace laureate and democracy activist Liu Xiaobo.
