UN concerned for China food safety activists
Baku, December 23 (AZERTAC). The UN has expressed concern about the prosecution in China of whistle-blowers highlighting food safety scandals, BBC said.
The UN`s rapporteur on food rights, Olivier de Schutter, said the state`s actions had "a chilling effect" on others worried about violations.
He said the Chinese authorities seemed to underestimate the contribution that free expression and association could make to the right to adequate food.
Mr de Schutter called for more transparency about food safety.
During his eight-day visit to China Mr de Schutter met food experts, civil society groups and government ministers.
He said he raised the case of Zhao Lianhai, whose son was one of about 300,000 children made ill in 2008 by poisoned baby milk.
`Concern`
Mr Zhao organised a parents` support group and campaigned for compensation. He was recently jailed for two-and-a-half years for "inciting social disorder".
Mr de Schutter said: "I think that freedoms of expression, freedoms of association, such as those that Mr Zhao was exercising, are key to protecting social and economic rights such as the right to food.
"I think a situation such as that of Mr Zhao is a source of concern to all those who defend the right to food."
He said he would "continue dialogue" with the foreign ministry on Mr Zhao`s case.
The melamine scandal in 2008 caused widespread public anger and sympathy for the victims and their families.
It led to a worldwide recall of Chinese dairy products and was a major embarrassment for the country`s leadership, who vowed to tackle the problem and restore consumer confidence.
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