UK faults China on rights and urges Dalai Lama talks

By Adrian Croft

LONDON (Reuters) - The government said on Tuesday the human rights situation in China was poor and urged Beijing to hold a meaningful dialogue with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

The criticism in the foreign ministry's annual report on human rights comes as China faces international pressure over its crackdown in Tibet in response to protests against Chinese rule.

The report covers the 15 months to the end of last year and does not refer to the latest Tibet unrest.

At a news conference to launch the report, Foreign Secretary David Miliband said worldwide concern over the situation in Tibet was "justified and proper" but he spoke out against boycotting this year's Beijing Olympics.

"I don't believe a boycott of the Olympics is the right thing to do ... A wrecked Olympics is actually not going to do anything for human rights in China," he said.

The Foreign Office report said that despite the Chinese government's "stated commitment to protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and significant progress over the past 20 years, the situation in China remains poor."

"With only limited reforms introduced since autumn 2006, violations of basic human rights continue to overshadow China's otherwise remarkable development," it said.

Violations of human rights continued in Tibet, it said.