UNCLASSIFIED
2 August 1991
David Campbell Esq UKMIS Geneva
Dear David,
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1A 2AH
Telephone: 071-
270 2505
HKC241/2
P/w Human Rights Gon
MEETING WITH CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS NGOS: 2 AUGUST
1.
Α
On 2 August representatives from human rights NGOs with an interest in China called on officials. The group comprised Phillip Baker, whom you know, Susan Whitfield (Chair of China Support Group), Wang Si-yuan (Federation for a Democratic China) and Lau Bing-sum (China Appeal/Chinese Political Prisoners Campaign). number of points arose which may be of interest to you, in particular those to do with the forthcoming session of the Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.
2.
Mr Baker said he would not be sending a delegation from the UK for the meeting of the Sub-Commission, but the China Support Group would be represented from Hong Kong and elsewhere. He wondered whether these delegates could contact the UK delegation (sic). I said that you would be in Geneva for the Sub-Commission, and that I hoped to be there for a week, and would be pleased to meet them. I am sure they would appreciate it if you do find time to see them. They left a dossier of their concerns, and I attach the principle documents. The NGOs concerned with human rights in China would also welcome meeting Dr Palley; you might wish to alert her to this fact if you have an opportunity.
3.
Mr Baker wondered whether the UK would ask the Chinese when they intend to submit their initial report under the Convention against Torture. This is a good debating point, which you may wish to deploy if a suitable opportunity arises. Lau Bing-sum mentioned the case of Wang Jun-tao who was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment earlier this year, and who is being kept in miserable conditions. Mr Wang was threatening to go on hunger strike on 13 August. Ms Lau hoped HMG would raise his case, but feared that the PM's visit to China might be too late. We will of course be giving considerable
LSRAAT