UK News

UK/CHINA: UK REPEATS CALL FOR ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY IN CHINA

Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell renewed calls for the abolition of the death penalty in China following the execution of Lobsang Dhondup and the sentencing to death of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. The 2 Tibetans were found guilty of involvement in a series of bomb attacks in Sichuan.

 Mr Rammell said:

 'I was dismayed to learn that Lobsang Dhondup was executed on 26 January. The UK strongly supported the 2 EU demarches made by the EU Presidency on this case. We are urgently consulting our EU partners about further representation to the Chinese.

 'I raised the issue of the death penalty with Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui during my recent visit to China. The UK position on the death penalty is well known - we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and call for its abolition worldwide.'

 Notes:

 1. At the beginning of December two Tibetans, Tenzin Delek Rinpoche and Lobsang Dhondup were sentenced to death for their alleged involvement in a series of bomb explosions in Sichuan (Tenzin received a 2 year suspension). According to the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, (26/1/03), on 26 January Sichuan Province Higher People's Court upheld death sentences against the 2. Lobsang Dhondup was executed on 26 January.

 2. The UK supported two EU demarches, on 13 December and 17 January, asking for the cases against the Tibetans to be reviewed and expressing concern about the excessive use of the death penalty in China.

 3. The retrial took place on 10 January. The court reached its verdict on 26 January (ie upheld the original verdict). Lobsang Dhondup was executed shortly thereafter.

 4. Mr Rammell visited China on 13-15 January. He raised a range of human rights issues with Assistant Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui, including the death penalty, jamming of the BBC, Tibet and the trial of 2 labour activists, Yao Fuxin and Xiao Yunliang.