Czech Republic signs up to letter protesting human rights abuses in China

The Czech Republic was one of 11 countries which signed a letter to the Chinese government highlighting human rights abuses. The letter was signed by Bedřich Kopecký on orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Czech media reports citing confirmation from the foreign ministry. The precise details of the letter has not been revealed, though it is said to highlight torture, prison isolation, and other abuses of lawyers and other involved in the promotion of human rights in China. The reports highlighted the fact that no publicity had been given in the Czech Republic to the move, said to have been initiated by the EU representation in Beijing. Four top Czech political figures, including the president and prime minister, signed a controversial declaration in October last year apologising for high profile meetings in Prague with the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.