By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s two-day trip to China last week was aimed to encourage sovereign wealth funds to invest in the U.K. Mr. Brown has been criticized, however, for his failure to emphasize the world’s concerns about human rights in the country.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said that Mr. Brown would raise the issue in a general sense, but would not be central to the discussions.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister on January 16, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Mr. Brown should use this visit to Beijing to discuss urgent domestic and international human rights concerns with the Chinese government. Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at HRW said, “With the Beijing Olympics just months away, Brown has a golden opportunity to press the Chinese leadership on human rights issues. But the moment will be wasted if Brown doesn’t make specific requests and urge specific Chinese action.”

The letter urged Mr. Brown to discuss six issues with Chinese Premiere Wen Jiabao and officials:

• China’s failure to fully implement new regulations allowing greater press freedom.
• The re-arrest on December 27,2007 of prominent HIV/AIDS activist Hu Jia.
• China’s superficial commitments to upholding the rule of law.
• Limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote civilian protection in Darfur, Sudan.
• Limited Chinese support for international efforts to promote human rights in Burma.
• Absence of transparency in Chinese aid to abusive governments.

Mr. Brown chose not to highlight these concerns, however, and focused on trade relations between the two countries instead.

For more information, please see:

HRW – UK: Brown Should Press Rights in China – 16 January 2008

HRW – Letter to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Regarding His Upcoming Trip to China – 15 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited – UK’s Brown urged to press China on human rights – 17 January 2008

Reuters – Brown seeks to take China relationship to new level – 18 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited – Come on, Mr. Brown, stand up to the Chinese – 20 January 2008