92002E0384

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0384/02

by Bernard Poignant (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

Subject: China's accession to the WTO and respect for human rights

During last October's part-session in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted Mr Gahrton's report on China's accession to the WTO (A5-0366/2001). Incorporating China into the World Trade Organisation cannot be viewed in any way other than favourably. As far as can be judged, the repercussions for the Chinese population could only be positive. The choice of holding the Olympic Games in Peking in 2008 is presumably based on the same logic.

However, there are signs of public concern. Admitting the Chinese communist regime into the international community must not mean forgetting its daily violations of human rights: death sentences, torture, arbitrary detention etc., are not uncommon.

If China joins the World Trade Organisation it must conform to the rules. One of those is the GATT's General Agreement on customs tariffs of 1947, Article 20 of which provides for exceptions to the agreement, notably concerning the import of products manufactured in prison.

In the case in point, many Chinese are sentenced to forced labour and are thereby compelled to manufacture products for export.

The European Union has a duty to monitor this situation. How does the Commission intend to deal with this matter?

Answer given by Mr Lamy on behalf of the Commission

(18 March 2002)

The Commission fully shares the concern of the Honourable Member with regard to practices of forced labour and prison labour.

Respect for human rights, including core labour standards, globally is a priority objective for the Commission. The Communication from the Commission Promoting core labour standards and improving

social governance in the context of globalisation(1) indeed presented a comprehensive strategy for the promotion of core labour standards in the context of globalisation. The strategy suggests action at international and European levels, in all external relations as well as in the International Labour Organisations to ensure the application of core labour standards.

With respect to trade policy, the Communication suggests an incentitative approach by a strengthening of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) social incentive scheme. The Council adopted the revised GSP scheme in December 2001 and has thus confirmed this approach.

As regards prison labour more specifically, the Honourable Member rightly pointed to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Article XX, which allows for trade measures to be taken against prison labour. China's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in fact provides greater transparency in trade practices related to prison labour. The Commission will monitor the situation in China in the light of WTO provisions and will take action as appropriate.

(1) COM(2001) 416 final.