HRIC praises the U.S. government for recognizing China’s intensified crackdown on dissent, including the persecution of human rights and democracy activists, Falungong practitioners, independent labor activists, leaders of unofficial churches and members of ethnic minorities. The seriousness of human rights violations in China warrants specific action from the Commission on Human Rights. HRIC urges the U.S. government to actively seek support from other Commission members to ensure passage of the resolution.
The announcement of the U.S. government’s plan to seek a resolution follows the Sino-U.S. agreement on terms for China’s entry into the WTO. "We have seen how the U.S. and other countries have put a great deal of effort into negotiations to bring China into the WTO," said HRIC Executive Director Xiao Qiang. "We need to see the same level of commitment to bring China in line with international human rights standards. The U.S. government’s pro-active move to introduce a resolution against China presents a good start."
Related Articles:
- U.S. State Department, Official text of statement
Jan. 11, 2000
http://secretary.state.gov/www/briefings/0001/000111db.html - New York Times, "U.S. to Propose New Criticism of Rights in China"
Jan. 12, 2000, Philip Shenon:
http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/asia/011200china-rights.html - CNN, "China blasts U.S. plan for human rights censure"
Jan. 12, 2000
http://robots.cnn.com/2000/ASIANOW/east/01/12/china.rights/index.html - Washington Post, "U.S. to Sponsor Rights Measure Critical of China"
Jan. 12, 2000, Steven Mufson
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/world/specials/asia/china/A34303-2000Jan12.html
Further information:
- U.S. State Department, "China Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998"
The U.S. government's overview of the human rights situation in the People's Republic of China, released in February of 1999. The 1999 report is forthcoming and not yet available.
http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1998_hrp_report/china.html - United Nations Commission on Human Rights
Home Page: Introduction to the Commission on Human Rights; functions, activities, history and membership.
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/2/chr.htm
