One of the many sins of the United Nations is to permit thug-governments that commit the most rampant and severe violations of human rights, like the governments of China, Cuba, and Russia, to ever sit on the UN Human Rights Council. The experience does not make them new and improved.
In the runup to the October 10 election of HRC members, more than 80 human rights groups signed a statement urging the General Assembly to deny China a new term on the Council:
The Chinese government has used its power and influence to attempt to silence the voice of civil society at the UN. The UN Secretary-General has recognized China as engaging in “patterns of intimidation and reprisals” against human rights defenders and remains one of the top perpetrators of reprisals globally. . . .
Most independent civil society groups have been disbanded and their members jailed, tortured, or forced to continue their work underground or forced into exile. . . .
In East Turkistan, the Chinese government has subjected Uyghurs and other Turkic groups to widespread, systematic persecution on the basis of their ethnic identity. . . .
Over the past 12 months, multiple UN human rights bodies have raised alarm at the escalation of human rights abuses in Tibet. . . .
In Hong Kong, the promulgation of the National Security Law by the central government in 2020 dismantled the civil society and people’s fundamental rights and freedom. . . .
These actions and policies obviously disqualify a government guilty of them from serving on a body that purportedly exists to protect human rights. Nevertheless, China has retained its seat. The new three-year term will be its sixth on the Human Rights Council, to which it was first elected in 2006.
Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, says that as a Council member, China “will continue to uphold the common values of all humanity, actively participate in global human rights governance, and promote the sound development of the international human rights cause.” And if you believe that, Mao Ning also has a bridge to sell you.
