Question to be answered in writing regarding the Olympic Games in China and human rights

Question to be answered in writing No. 896 (2007–2008)

Translated from Norwegian

11 April 2008

From Member of the Storting May-Helen Molvær Grimstad (Christian Democratic Party) to the Minster of Foreign Affairs:
The focus on the Olympic Games in China provides a golden opportunity to sharpen criticism of violations of human rights in the country. With this in view, Norway should be at the forefront of efforts to increase international pressure on China. In the media, the Minister of Foreign Affairs has ruled out a boycott of the games, while the Minister of Culture and Church Affairs does not exclude the possibility of boycotting the opening ceremony. What is the Government’s position on a boycott, and will the Minister of Foreign Affairs take the initiative for a campaign to mobilise opposition to China’s gross violations of human rights?

The Foreign Minister’s reply:
We need to view our relations with China from a long-term perspective. China has become, and will remain, a key actor on the international stage. It is in Norway’s interest to have contact with China in a broad range of fields. This entails developing closer relations in a number of areas that provide opportunities for closer contact and greater exchange between our countries. This forms the basis for the Government’s strategy on China.

The promotion of human rights and democracy is one of the main pillars of this strategy. Here we have particularly emphasised the development of the rule of law, freedom of organisation and association, freedom of expression, women’s rights, the rights of prisoners and detainees, minority rights, freedom of religion and efforts to abolish the death penalty.

During my visit to China in January this year, I raised in particular China’s extensive use of the death penalty and the worrying developments regarding freedom of expression and belief. We cannot accept that journalists and human rights activists are imprisoned for speaking out or for their convictions.

It was against this backdrop that State Secretary Johansen raised the sentence against human rights activist Hu Jia with China’s Ambassador to Norway last week.

Recently, Norway’s Ambassador to China raised the concerns of the Norwegian Government – and the Norwegian people – about the situation in Tibet directly with China’s President.

At the same time, we note that progress is being made in other areas, such as employee rights. China has also taken important steps forward in developing national legislation. This is a stepping stone in the efforts to enhance security under the law and strengthen human rights for individual Chinese citizens. From a historical perspective, the human rights situation has improved, although much remains to be done. We should also note that millions upon millions of people have been lifted out of poverty.

The challenge is to be unambiguous in our policy towards China, while at the same time expressing our criticisms and concerns in a way that best serves the efforts to strengthen human rights in the country. Our broad cooperation with China gives us more opportunities for open and critical dialogue.

For many years, there has been broad political agreement in Norway that dialogue is the best way of promoting a more equitable society for all. The policy of taking a stand with a view to achieving short-term benefits would – in my view – reduce our opportunities for influencing the human rights situation in China.

Our dialogue with China is open and honest. We raise sensitive issues and pose critical questions in our contact with the Chinese authorities. And we will continue to do so.

The run-up to the Olympics in Beijing has focused attention on China and the human rights situation in the country. The Government hopes that beyond being a successful sporting event, the Olympic Games will be a catalyst for greater interest in and knowledge about China. The pens, PCs and cameras of the more than 30 000 journalists who are expected to attend the games will ensure that China’s strengths and weaknesses are brought to the fore. This in itself is positive.

In politics it is rarely wise to rule out options in advance. Norway and many other countries in the world are following developments in China closely. At present, however, the Government does not believe that a boycott would be an effective way of strengthening human rights in China.

We are best served by a broad, committed, honest and critical dialogue with the Chinese authorities. Therefore, the Norwegian authorities have no plans to stay away from the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.