UK-China relations: Rights group says that ‘red lines, not red carpet’ needed as British foreign minister hosts his Chinese counterpart in London
UK-China relations: Rights group says that ‘red lines, not red carpet’ needed as British foreign minister hosts his Chinese counterpart in London
‘This is an opportunity to show that the UK will not allow China to buy its silence over human rights concerns’ - Felix Jakens
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/29488879
Ahead of the highly anticipated visit from China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is due to visit Britain today (Thursday 13 February) to hold talks with his British counterpart David Lammy in what is being seen as a sign that relations between the countries are ‘normalising’, said Felix Jakens, Amnesty’s UK Head of Campaigns.
“David Lammy should be drawing serious red lines, rather than rolling out the red carpet when Wang Yi visits this week," Jakens adds.
“We need to hear a public and strong condemnation of the brutal suppression of human rights activists, which is not only limited to mainland China or Hong Kong but has also spread to the UK through the transnational targeting of students and activists who speak out here. Hong Kong’s recent issuing of ‘Wild West’-style bounties on activists’ heads in the UK indicates the authorities believe they can intimidate and silence their critics overseas with impunity. It is completely unacceptable to see this sort of international witch hunt on UK soil and the most high-level visit in years must be a time to publicly vocalise UK Government outrage."
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