GfbV warns against a sell-out of human rights in China politics under Foreign Minister Steinmeier

Under the designated Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier there is a threat of a sell-out of human rights in German China politics. The Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) issued a warning of this on Monday in the light of the impending visit to Germany of the Chinese President Hu Jintao (10.-12.11.2005). „Steinmeier was the architect of the China politics of the parting Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder, in which economic interests were given priority over human rights”, said the GfbV Asia correspondent Ulrich Delius.

While Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on account of the massive criticism of his predecessor Klaus Kinkel still emphasises the meaning of human rights, now a spokesman for human rights in German China politics will be missing, fears the GfbV. Steinmeier is a declared proponent of the lifting of the EU arms embargo against China, which Joschka Fischer has still rejected. President Hu Jintao has announced that he will be trying to achieve an end of the arms embargo during his visit to Germany.

The GfbV called for a rethinking of German China politics, since Bundeskanzler Gerhard Schröder has failed with his kowtowing before the Peking leadership. „Although trade with China has shown strong growth the democratic change in the People’s Republic promised by the Bundeskanzler has failed to materialise”, said Delius. On the contrary, in spite of a booming economy violations of human rights are occurring on an ever larger scale. All attempts at chumming up on the part of Berlin have not helped at all in getting China’s support in furthering Germany’s interests either. It is symptomatic that Peking spoke out against the German wish for a permanent seat on the Security Council of the United Nations.

„German China politics with no regard for human rights will have serious consequences for the persecuted Tibetans, Uigurs, Mongols, Christians, supporters of the democracy movement or the meditation movement Falun Gong”, warned Delius. „Although it is precisely the German government which can work very effectively for more human rights and democracy in the People’s Republic, since Germany is seen by the Peking leadership as their best friend.” Speaking up for human rights is not at all a superfluous luxury, for it serves Germany’s long-term interests, as only the democratisation of China and an improvement of the human rights situation can in the long run secure the stability in the People’s Republic which is necessary for the consolidation of economic relations.