Human rights divides Europe

Along with three other nations, France has decided to distance itself from a resolution condemning Chinese human rights that has been put forward by the EU each year since the Tiananmen massacre in 1989.

This has left the impression of a divided Europe in which some members are prepared to suppress legitimate concerns about human rights to further national commercial interests. France looks particularly craven because it appears to be trying to smooth the way for President Chirac's visit to China next month amidst hopes of lucrative export contracts.

The concept of a common foreign policy means little if Europe cannot speak with one voice against a country that has signed neither of the two UN covenants on human rights.

Critical resolutions in the UN do hurt, or China would not go to such lengths to block them. Principle is also important. It sets a poor precedent to mix trade with human rights issues, and especially to allow commerce to be governed by the autocratic whim of a bully.

-- Financial Times, Hong Kong