By NTD

December 17, 2012

On December 13th the EU passed a resolution adopting its 2011 Human Rights and Democracy in the World report.

China was mentioned under three categories of concern in the report, including “Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion, or Belief.”

The report expresses concern over groups including Muslims, Buddhists and Christians. Particularly highlighted were the suppression of Tibetans, and allegations that the Chinese regime is involved in the forced organ harvesting of persecuted Falun Gong adherents.

The report also condemns China’s use of the death penalty and its crackdown on human rights defenders and censorship of the media.

This EU Parliament member helped draft the Human Rights Report and says he hopes it will provoke action.

[Leonidas Donskis, Member of the European Parliament]:
“We have to send a very strong message that this is unacceptable.”

The EU won the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize for democracy and human rights, and the Foreign Minister of Cyprus says, this means even greater responsibility for the EU.

[Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Cyprus Foreign Minister]:
“The Nobel Prize is a great recognition of our past achievements, but it also focuses the spotlight on all of us to work together and redouble our efforts to promote and protect human rights, both within our borders and world-wide.”

The EU compiles the yearly report to show progress made over the past year but also to identify areas of concern that need further attention.

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