Noel Celis/Getty Images
A leading member of the European Parliament has raised significant concerns about the EU s landmark investment deal with China over its alleged human rights abuses and fears that it could harm relations with the new Biden administration.
The EU-China investment deal aims to liberalize trade between Beijing and Brussels and was struck in the last days of December after last-minute concessions from Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
But there is mounting concern in the European Parliament, which still needs to approve the deal, about the deal given China s human rights record on issues including alleged forced labor camps and a crackdown in Hong Kong which began last year.
By Philip Mathew
Sister Christin Mary is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as ICM Sisters.
Based in the western Indian city of Mumbai, Mary coordinates the National Domestic Workers’ Movement, which has been championing the rights of domestic workers, children in domestic work, and migrant domestic workers since 1985. Today, its work is spread across 17 states of India, engaging nearly 200,000 domestic workers in major cities, towns and villages.
The movement was set up by Belgian SisterJeanne Devos, also of the ICM Sisters, who spent several years as a missionary in India. She was concerned about the plight of Indian domestic workers who were exploited and whose work was undervalued.
Sr. Christin Mary (in pink, holding microphone), a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and a coordinator of the National Domestic Workers Movement, with a group of domestic workers in February 2019 in the western Indian city of Mumbai (Provided photo)
Bengaluru, India Sr. Christin Mary is a member of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, also known as ICM Sisters.
Based in the western Indian city of Mumbai, Mary coordinates the National Domestic Workers Movement, which has been championing the rights of domestic workers, children in domestic work, and migrant domestic workers since 1985. Today, its work is spread across 17 states of India, engaging nearly 200,000 domestic workers in major cities, towns and villages.
Met dank overgenomen van Europese Commissie (EC), gepubliceerd op woensdag 30 december 2020.
The EU and China have today concluded in principle the negotiations for a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). This deal follows a call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and European Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on behalf of the Presidency of the EU Council, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron. China has committed to a greater level of market access for EU investors than ever before, including some new important market openings. China is also making commitments to ensure fair treatment for EU companies so they can compete on a better level playing field in China, including in terms of disciplines for state owned enterprises, transparency of subsidies and rules against the forced transfer of technologies. For the first time, China has also agreed to ambitious provisions on sustainable devel