26 March 1999
TEXT: STATE DEPT. 3/26 ON U.S. CHINA RESOLUTION AT U.N.
(U.S. to sponsor resolution on human rights situation) (620) Washington - The United States plans to introduce a resolution in Geneva on human rights violations in China, according to a March 26 news release from the Department of State. "China's human rights record has deteriorated sharply over the past year," State Department spokesman James Rubin said. These human rights abuses "are a source of deep concern." The resolution, to be presented to the United Nation's Commission on Human Rights, represents "one part of our strategy of purposeful, principled engagement with China that serves the interests of both countries," Rubin said. While criticizing China's actions in Tibet, religious persecution, and the stifling of political dissent, Rubin said the United States was still committed to working with China. "The United States believes that a policy of engagement, rather than seeking to isolate China, offers the best means to advance our national interests," Rubin said. (begin text) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman March 26, 1999 STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN U.S. TO SPONSOR CHINA RESOLUTION AT UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS The United States will introduce a resolution on China's human rights practices at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which is currently meeting in Geneva. The decision to go forward with a resolution at the Commission this year is based on the fact that the Government of China's human rights record has deteriorated sharply over the past year. Beginning in the fall, authorities initiated a crackdown against organized political opposition. Dozens of political activists have been detained for peaceful political activities, and three leaders of the China Democracy Party have been given harsh sentences in closed trials that clearly violated due process. As noted in our annual human rights report, authorities also have tightened regulations on publishers and newspapers, increased monitoring of the Internet, continued to restrict religious practice, and intensified controls over Tibet. These developments are a source of deep concern. They constitute a reversal of the comparatively more tolerant attitude toward political expression and association exhibited by authorities earlier in the year. The Chinese Government has accepted international human rights obligations by signing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In its dialogues with the United States, the European Union, and others, China has stated its intention to fulfill its obligation under the ICCPR and other international human rights instruments. The UN Commission for Human Rights, the world's preeminent international forum on human rights, is therefore the appropriate venue to discuss violations of internationally-recognized human rights standards. The resolution in Geneva represents one part of our strategy of purposeful, principled engagement with China that serves the interests of both countries. In a separate development, the White House has announced today that Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji will come to the United States for an official visit on April 6-14. We look forward to useful, productive talks with Premier Zhu on the wide range of issues and interests on our bilateral agenda, including non-proliferation, trade, human rights, and global issues. The United States believes that a policy of engagement, rather than seeking to isolate China, offers the best means to advance our national interests. As the President said last week, "the evidence is that the Chinese would like a constructive relationship with us" and that the best course for America over the long run is for us to establish a "positive but eyes wide open" relationship "to work with the Chinese where it's in our interest to do so, and to frankly and forthrightly state our differences where they exist." (end text)
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