NGOs Criticize China for Ignoring Human Rights Recommendations at UN Meeting
Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) criticized China for rejecting recommendations from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) 56th session. The session was held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday.
China dismissed calls to address severe human rights issues, including the plight of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kongers, and human rights activists. Chinese diplomats refused to adopt major recommendations intended to address these issues.
During the adoption of China’s fourth UPR report, Beijing’s envoys showed an ‘unwillingness to work with the UN to enact human rights change,’ according to the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR).
In a joint statement on behalf of 29 NGOs, ISHR urged China to ‘genuinely engage with the UN to enact meaningful reforms’ in line with recommendations from the UN’s Xinjiang report, UN Treaty Bodies, and UN Special Rapporteurs. The statement highlighted Beijing’s dismissal of recommendations and acts of intimidation against civil society.
The statement also called for the Human Rights Council to establish a monitoring and reporting mechanism on China, as over 40 UN experts have requested since 2020.
The Chinese representative countered criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom, who called on Beijing to end the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in the Uyghur region and to stop reprisals against activists and lawyers.
Countries like Russia and Venezuela supported China, stating that Beijing met its human rights obligations and dismissed documented abuses as ideologically motivated.
NGOs regretted that China dismissed 30% of recommendations, particularly those related to the plight of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kongers, feminists, LGBT activists, human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists. This was an increase from 18% five years ago, showing a blatant disregard for human rights principles.
ISHR questioned why Beijing scrapped calls for unrestricted access to the country for UN experts, asking, ‘If no abuses are being committed, then why not accept the 15 pending visit requests from UN experts?’
The UK also called on Chinese authorities to end the persecution of minorities in Xinjiang and Tibet and for all individuals persecuted under Hong Kong’s National Security Law. The United States representatives called for the release of all those facing arbitrary detention and urged Beijing to end its practice of pursuing dissent even outside its own borders.
