Sen. Atkinson: Human rights in China, India

Atkinson discusses world concerns of economics and human rights with leaders in India and China
State Senator Jason Atkinson
Press Release;

SOUTHERN OREGON — On a recent trip to India and China, Senator Jason Atkinson (R-Central Point) was able to talk with the Foreign Ministers of both countries about issues of world-wide concern, namely Darfur, the environment and free elections.

In a meeting with Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei, Senator Jason Atkinson challenged China’s support of the military of Sudan. Atkinson is concerned that the military technologies China is selling to Sudan are being directly used to further genocide in Darfur. “We had a candid conversation,” Atkinson stated. “As China is preparing to host the Olympics next year, I told the He Yafei American’s are gravely concerned with their support of Sudan.”

Atkinson met with China’s Assistant Foreign Minister in Beijing, and had meetings with other Chinese officials on topics ranging from the environment, food poisoning, Tibet, and human rights.

“As a developing superpower, China has not changed its position on religious freedom, human rights, or due process” Senator Jason Atkinson noted. “The world demands China clean up its act.”

The following week, Senator Jason Atkinson met with India’s Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menor and discussed border disputes with China, India’s election process and the developing middle class.

“India is the economy to watch,” Senator Jason Atkinson noted. “India is modernizing, investing heavily in education, and focusing businesses from large public companies to local textile shops toward international trade.”

Atkinson is a member of the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership, an Aspen Institute program designed to bring together “the very best of the nation’s emerging leaders” to discuss broad issues of democratic governance and effective public service. The purpose of the seminar in China and India was to compare and contrast international issues of these two developing countries

Jason Atkinson was a 2006 candidate for governor in Oregon; he was elected to the Oregon Legislature in 1998. He has developed a reputation for his work on the environment, education policy, and government accountability. He is a management consultant, motivational speaker and the author of “What We All Wish Politicians Understood.”