UK relationship with China questioned as human rights abuses revealed

The government will face criticism over its close relationship with China on Tuesday as a report will highlight the ongoing use of torture, detention of human rights lawyers and repression of the media.

The Darkest Moment will be launched in Parliament by the former Governor of Hong Kong Lord Patten and supported by former Foreign Secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind. It examines evidence of human rights abuses over the past three years and heard from Joshua Wong, leader of the pro-democracy Umbrella protests in Hong Kong, and Anastasia Lin, the Chinese-born winner of Miss World Canada who was banned from China because of her human rights work.

Chancellor George Osborne has made substantial efforts to court Chinese officials in the hope of furthering economic ties between the UK and the booming Chinese economy. Reuters

The report points to "overwhelming evidence of a very grave deterioration" in human rights in China and urges the government to adopt a more "appropriately critical friendship".

It said: "'While we recognise the strategic and economic significance of China, we do not believe that it is in anyone's interests for the United Kingdom Government to be almost silent, publicly, on human rights, in light of such a grave deterioration."

Speaking ahead of the launch, Lord Patten said: "This is a comprehensive and well researched analysis of China's increasingly deplorable human rights record. I am obviously concerned about what has been happening in Hong Kong.

"The British Government must take account of this first class piece of work."

Rifkind said: "I very much endorse this report and its recommendations. It is an excellent, professional and well researched study. Its recommendations are spot on. This report highlights the urgent need for reform in China. It deserves to be read and implemented."

The report will be launched by the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission. Fiona Bruce, chair of the commission, said: "Without exception, every submission to our inquiry detailed a severe deterioration in human rights in China since 2013 and revealed a situation which is the worst China has seen for many years, possibly since the Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989. Witnesses told us that many recent developments were "unprecedented".

"In light of this, we believe it is time for the UK Government to rethink its approach to China, to speak out publicly and consistently on human rights, and consider ways it can more effectively promote and protect basic rights that are being gravely violated in mainland China and in Hong Kong."

related articles
China: Bishop under house arrest who 'stood up to China' alludes to shock turnaround

China: Bishop under house arrest who 'stood up to China' alludes to shock turnaround

Human rights campaigners call on China to drop cases against lawyers
Human rights campaigners call on China to drop cases against lawyers

Human rights campaigners call on China to drop cases against lawyers

Chinese Christian arrested for printing church material
Chinese Christian arrested for printing church material

Chinese Christian arrested for printing church material

Pope prays for rebel Chinese bishop under house arrest
Pope prays for rebel Chinese bishop under house arrest

Pope prays for rebel Chinese bishop under house arrest

News
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology

Some people think that you have to choose between science and religion, but that is not the case. This is the story …

US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”