In a Speech at the UN Conference, a Dutch Delegate Expresses his Hope that China Will Honor Its Moral Obligation to Fully Respect Human Rights

H.E. Mr. Jozias van Aartsen, Holland's Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke at the 58th Session of the Commission on Human Rights (Geneva, 27^th March,á 2002). In the speech, he said:

"But the human rights situation in China continues to be a source of greatáconcern to the Netherlands Government. The application of the death penaltyáhas reached an unprecedented level since the start of the "strike hard"ácampaign. Followers of Christian churches and other religious communities,áas well as members of the Falun Gong, continue to be persecuted. The fightáagainst terrorism is used as a pretext to intensify repression of minoritiesáin Xinjiang and Tibet. On the other hand, Chinese society is now more openáand engaged with the international community more than ever before.áThis is underscored by China's successful bid for the Olympic Games. I hopeáand expect that China will take upon itself the moral obligation that goesáwith it: to fully respect all human rights."