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24 June 2011
GPPi fellow publishes op-ed on human rights diplomacy with China
On 24 June 2011 GPPi fellow Katrin Kinzelbach published an op-ed in Germany’s Spiegel Online magazine titled Human Rights Diplomacy: And Yet Beijing Moves.
Taking the June 22 release of Chinese performance artist and government critic Ai Weiwei as a starting point, Kinzelbach points out a pattern that is consistent with the release of many Chinese dissidents: In most cases, the accused admits he is guilty or is absolved for "health reasons" while the releases usually takes place right before important state visits. After substantiating this pattern with a number of examples from the last two decades, Kinzelbach goes on to discuss how pressure on the Chinese government from abroad has aided the release of a number of Chinese dissidents; according to Kinzelbach, Germany has significantly contributed to the release of dissidents in at least two instances.
She suggests that Germany also played a key role in Ai Weiwei’s case. German Chancellor Angela Merkel allegedly called for the Ai Weiwei release in a personal letter to the Chinese government. In light of the upcoming Chinese state visit to Germany, Kinzelbach considers the release as an attempt to eliminate the most prominent “irritant to Sino-German relations.” While other factors, such as backing from influential Communist party members, have undoubtedly contributed to Ai Weiwei’s release, Kinzelbach concludes that the German government should now, supporting a common EU position, make use of the momentum it has gained and seek further positive developments.
For further information, please contact Katrin Kinzelbach.