VISIT OF THE CHINESE PRESIDENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Early day motion 933, tabled 21 October 1999 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 21 members.

That this House notes with concern that, whilst those who wished to exercise their right to peaceful demonstration on the occasion of the visit of the Japanese Emperor were allowed to line streets and otherwise convey their views to the Emperor, supporters of a Free Tibet who have sought similarly to exercise this right during the visit of the Chinese President have been treated with disrespect by the police, have had Tibetan flags removed from them, and all possible steps have been taken to ensure their views could not be conveyed to the President; reaffirms the rights of British citizens to assemble and protest peacefully; and deplores the attempts to prevent British citizens from making clear to the Chinese President their justified and understandable anger at the appalling human rights record of the Chinese Government, particularly in Tibet.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 11, Conservative 3, Labour 3, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2.