Dear President of the European Council Mr Donald Tusk,
President of the European Commission Mr Jean-Claude Juncker,
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Ms Federica Mogherini,

Representing the Tibet Interest Group in the European Parliament with members from many European member states, I hereby demonstrate our commitment to promoting human rights in China in view of the upcoming EU-China Summit in Brussels.

We have always been committed supporters of dialogue, peace and friendship. Unfortunately, we have to assert that restrictions on human rights have tightened in the last years under Chinese government, especially for Tibetan people. Civil society voices have been silenced, new abusive laws have been adopted and an anti-corruption campaign further undermines the judicial system.

The EU and its member states have repeatedly raised similar concerns. It has not used its leverage as a Strategic Economic Partner of China to press Chinese authorities to change its human rights policies and practices.

Therefore, I want to remind you on your responsibility to raise those concerns on human rights violations in China during the high-level-talks in the upcoming meetings. Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, religion or belief are universal rights which need to be the foundation of any international relationship.

Sincerely,

Thomas Mann MEP