Since 1997，the Sino-EU dialogue on human rights has been focusing on thebackground and mechanisms of international human rights covenants，as well as discussing certain fundamental rights and systems，such as，freedom of expression，freedom from torture，personal liberty and pre-trial detention，right to life and death penalties，freedom of association，judicial independence，and rights regarding judicial procedures in general，such as the presumption of innocence，right todefense，right to silence etc. Nev <<