EU raises China rights concerns

EU raises China rights concerns

European Union foreign ministers, meeting in Brussels, have again expressed concern about China's human rights record.

In a statement, the ministers said they would raise the issue at the annual meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, which began on Monday in Geneva.

They said they would urge China to curb executions, abolish torture and reform its detention practices.

The EU statement also highlighted concerns about cultural and religious freedoms in Tibet and in the north-western province of Xinjiang, which has a large Muslim population.

The EU ministers said they would not seek a resolution condemning China at the UN Human Rights meeting, but would consider backing such a motion if it was raised by another party.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service