The EU General Affairs Council in Brussels included...

The EU General Affairs Council in Brussels included a two-page statement condemning China for "marking time" by signing international pacts. The statement also mentioned the frequent use of the death penalty in China, the number of non-violent crimes still subject to capital punishment, and the use of detention camps where people may be detained without appropriate legal assistance and in most cases without a fair trial. On behalf of the EU, Portugal's Foreign Minister Jaime Gama expressed concern over China's "use of the death penalty, restrictions on fundamental freedoms".