Index 
 Full text 
Verbatim report of proceedings
Thursday, 10 April 2008 - Brussels OJ edition

Explanations of vote
MPphoto
 
 

Text tabled : B6-0133/2008

  Andreas Mölzer (NI), in writing. (DE) It was entirely predictable that China would react to demonstrations by deploying the military and the police. China is of course not a democracy, but the response of the Chinese security forces to the demonstrators is naturally to be condemned. A boycott of the Olympic Games, in whatever form, would in all probability simply be viewed as an insult by the Chinese majority population and would certainly not improve – and, in the worst case scenario, might actually exacerbate – the situation of minorities in that country.

Given the EU's weight in the international arena, 'go-it-alone' approaches by the EU are highly unlikely to have any effect. If the EU presses ahead and makes itself a laughing stock in the eyes of the world, that would help no one, especially not the Tibetans. Even if the situation calms down, new and perhaps even more violent unrest can be predicted. Together with allies, however, the EU can make efforts to improve the life of the minorities in China on a progressive basis and gradually bring about a change in attitude in the government and the majority population.

 
Legal notice - Privacy policy