Czech minister to raise human rights issues at planned EU- China summit

The Czech minister for minorities and human rights, Michael Kocáb, is planning to raise the issue of human rights in China at an EU-China summit to be held in Prague during the Czech presidency of the European Union. Mr Kocáb said that while Czech politicians had consistently criticized China for its poor human rights record in the past, the Czech Republic would now be speaking on behalf of the whole European Union. Michael Kocáb, who took office last month within a broader cabinet re-shuffle, also pointed out that enhanced trade between the EU and China might help alleviate the effects of the current financial crisis.

Author: Jan Richter