Rights Groups Press EU to Put Human Rights First in China Talks
Seven major rights groups urge EU lawmakers to put human rights before business in China talks.
Why it matters: The call comes as the EU prepares for its first parliamentary visit to China in eight years. The move spotlights growing tension over whether economic goals are overshadowing legal and ethical obligations in EU-China relations.
- Seven organizations including Amnesty and Human Rights Watch issued a joint letter on May 19, 2026.
- The letter urges MEPs to demand release of detained defenders and name individuals at risk.
- Groups want the EU to oppose China’s 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress' and address ethnic repression.
- Letter supports international investigations into alleged Chinese government abuses and calls for public EU solidarity.
On May 19, 2026, seven leading rights groups—including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch—released a joint public letter urging Members of the European Parliament to put human rights at the center of upcoming engagements with Chinese officials.
- The letter, ahead of the first MEP delegation to China in eight years, warns against letting business objectives overshadow human rights obligations.
- It specifically calls for the immediate release of detained defenders, requesting that MEPs 'name individuals explicitly' at risk—echoing the EU’s own recent UN Human Rights Council statements.
- The groups urge MEPs to press for repeal of China’s 'Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress,' which they argue violates linguistic, religious, and cultural rights of Tibetans, Uyghurs, and others.
- It further appeals for urgent clarity on individuals’ whereabouts—including 40 Uyghurs deported from Thailand in February 2025—and for their contact with families to be restored.
- The letter states full support for independent investigations into alleged Chinese government crimes against humanity, referencing UN findings on arbitrary detention and repression.
- Finally, the signatories call for a public show of solidarity by MEPs, and for reiteration of calls to release detainees held for their legitimate work.
One line from the letter underscores the core message: “We urge you to put human rights at the centre of your engagement with your Chinese counterparts.”
By the numbers:
- 7 — Number of rights organizations signing the joint letter
- May 19, 2026 — Date letter was issued, ahead of MEP visit
- 8 — Years since the last official EU Parliament delegation to China
Yes, but: Responses from both Members of the European Parliament and the Chinese government to the letter are not yet public.