New PM, Same Old Story at China-Australian Human Rights Dialogue

Supporters of human rights in China are growing skeptical over the annual discussions on human rights between China and Australia. Rather than improve the situation, Human Rights Watch (HRW) claims the dialogues often have the opposite effect.

Not only has the dialogue failed to produce tangible results, it appears that it has over the years actually become a vehicle for China to shape the Australian government views on human rights in China and how human rights issues should be addressed in bi- and multi-lateral settings, states a submission from HRW to Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The dialogue that HRW refers to is the Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue, and the 15th dialogue since 1997 was held in Beijing on Feb. 20 local time.

This years dialogue is particularly important since it comes at a critical time for human rights in China as the government escalates one of the most intense crackdowns in the past 20 years against human rights defenders and government critics, states a release from HRW.

The dialogue is also the first under Australias new prime minister, Tony Abbott. Activists are hoping Australia changes its history of inaction.

Chinas deteriorating human rights situation has justifiably raised skepticism about the utility of bilateral rights dialogues with the Chinese government, said Elaine Pearson, Australia director at Human Rights Watch, in the release.

Coverage of 2014 Meeting

Going by news coming out from the meetings, however, the dialogue doesnt seem to have improved much from previous years.

Coverage on the meeting by the Australian press focused almost entirely on the Chinese government criticizing Australia for its treatment of asylum seekers, and with an apparent complete absence of information on Chinas human rights abuses.

Chinas state-run Xinhua newspaper reported that both sides introduced their latest achievements in protecting and promoting human rights, and the dialogue was positive, frank and fruitful.

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New PM, Same Old Story at China-Australian Human Rights Dialogue