By Our Reporter.
European organisations have castigated China for human rights violations and for taking advantage of economic crisis in Sri Lanka to dupe nationals with an exploitative debt trap.
The international conference organised by the European human rights organisations in the presence of European Union officials on September 8, 2022 at Brussels ‘Press Club, rebuked China for its dictatorship and human rights violations.
EU organizations including influential journalists from different communities in Belgium spoke on a panel of high – level speakers under the theme « China debt trap ».
They also spoke strongly on the deals with the economic crisis of Sri Lanka as well as the consequences on the population in a debate moderated by the International Programme Manager at the European Commission Ms Monica Andrei.
Razvan Hoinaru, a business minded, Policy consultant , who worked for the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), a Permanent Team of the European Parliament, evoked the human rights violations that China inflicted upon the Ughurs.
The official outlined how the Chinese model of dictatorship and authoritarianism is imposed on other countries like Sri Lanka that have become dependent on China economically .
But Sid Lukkassen philosopher and former Policy Advisor to the European Union Parliament believes that ”Complete laissez-faire liberalism cannot resist the aforementioned Chinese strategy.
« What do we do with our money, once other states decide to feel their people first? », he said .
He said « The information economy is a high risk in the long run. A wiser Europe should invest in industrial production capacity, and would equip itself to develop new resources by manipulating elementary particles ».
The US and China are one step ahead of Europe. They understand that currencies are but pieces on a game board of strategy and that money is worthless «
Andy Vermaut, one of the main organizers of the conference , human rights defender and head of the World Council for Public Diplomacy and Community Dialogue, said the situation of Sri Lanka is raising a new global worry as a result of China’s global lending to under developed nations.
« This is a very serious and timely problem. Clearly, the debt that developing nations owe China is a significant issue. Many Belt and Road Initiative projects fall too heavily on the debt of under developed countries, and many of these nations are unable to fulfill their debts » he said.
« This is an actual issue where Sri Lanka has awoken the global community to this problem. The notion that China is accumulating debt with weaker nations in order to gain power over them and acquire both private and public assets, is a very sophisticated strategy to completely rule the globe », he said.
Manel Msalmi, President of the European Association for The Defense of Minorities and International Affairs Advisor to Members of European Parliament and co-organiser of the conference, noted the impact of China debt trap on minorities and particularly women in Sri Lanka.
She mentioned that Sri Lanka found itself obliged to follow the model in return to China’s help adding that Sri Lanka sacrificed the democratic model for the sake of economic prosperity which China promised .
« The human rights violations that minorities witness in Sri Lanka mainly Christians and Muslims is a reminder of the abuses committed by the Chinese government towards minorities. Women are victims of economic violence and poverty as a consequence of the financial crisis in Sri Lanka. », She said.
Mr Paulo Casaca ,founder and Executive Director of the South Asia Democratic forum and former member of the European Parliament, stressed the significance and the repercussions of the current Sri Lanka socio-economic and political collapse.
He explained the history of debt in relation to the contemporary debt trap debate as well as South Asia situation and how Chinese state investment is present in so many countries which aims at conquering the countries and gaining power in the region.
Mr David Vander Maelen co-organiser of the conference and President of – Hiking for Children, Tibet Support Group Belgium, highlighted that « Debt Trap and Industrial Espionage it is a real and increasing threat to academic freedom, economic prosperity and democratic values.
Report by Ms Manel Msalmi, International Affairs Advisor to Members of Parliament (Meps) at the European Parliment, Brussels.
