EU official urges China to halt arbitrary arrests

[April 12, 2011]  BEIJING (AP) -- The EU's foreign policy chief has expressed alarm at the "deterioration of human rights" in China and says arbitrary arrests and disappearances should stop.

Catherine Ashton called in a statement Tuesday for the immediate releases of renowned artist Ai Weiwei and dozens of other activists, lawyers and intellectuals detained in recent weeks and months.

China has engaged in a widespread crackdown against dissent in an apparent effort to prevent uprisings similar to those in the Middle East and north Africa.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has criticized foreign governments for their support of Ai, asking why a criminal is considered a hero. The ministry has said he is being investigated for economic crimes.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.