23 April 1999
TEXT: AMB. NANCY RUBIN ON CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTION
(It is time for China to implement Rights Covenant) (870) Geneva -- The U.S. government's decision to introduce a resolution on the situation of human rights in China during the latest session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) was not undertaken lightly, according to Ambassador Nancy Rubin. In remarks made prior to its being effectively vetoed by a "no-action motion" April 23, Rubin said the resolution was necessary because the human rights situation in China deteriorated sharply during the latter part of 1998. "In the fall of last year," Rubin said, "authorities have cracked down against organized political opposition, detaining dozens of activists for peaceful political activities. The government's control over the media intensified, and the authorities continued to restrict the freedom of worship for groups without official sanction. At the same time, repressive social and political controls still limit fundamental freedoms in Tibet and Xinjiang and threatened Tibet's unique linguistic, religious and cultural heritage. The Chinese have refused to engage the Dalai Lama in substantive dialogue or permit international access to the boy he has designated as the Panchen Lama." Rubin reminded the Commission that China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights last year. "But signing the Covenant is not enough," she said. "It is time for China to implement it, by respecting the rights the ICCPR protects -- freedom of conscience, expression, religion, and association, and the right to a fair trial, personal security, and peaceful political dissent." Following is the text of Rubin's speech, as prepared for delivery: (begin text) Ambassador Nancy Rubin US Delegation, UN Commission on Human Rights Introductory Remarks: China April 23, 1999 Madam Chair: My government would like to take this opportunity to explain why we believe it necessary to introduce Resolution L. 22, on the situation of human rights in China. The decision to do so is not one that we have undertaken lightly. Our relationship with China is of great importance to the United States, and it consists of many different facets. We are pleased with the progress our engagement has helped produce in recent years, and we hope that our cooperation will continue to grow. But we have always believed that our long-term relationship with China, and with the Chinese people, is best-served by speaking plainly and frankly about human rights. China has made great economic strides in this decade, and this has resulted in growing personal freedom and economic opportunities for the Chinese people. My country takes pride in knowing that our substantial trade with China has contributed to this growing prosperity. But at the same time, the verdict of history is clear. No nation can expect to maintain long-term economic growth unless and until it respects the universal human rights of all its citizens. The truth is, Madam Chair, that the human rights situation in China deteriorated sharply during the latter part of 1998. In the fall of last year, authorities have cracked down against organized political opposition, detaining dozens of activists for peaceful political activities. The government's control over the media intensified, and the authorities continued to restrict the freedom of worship for groups without official sanction. At the same time, repressive social and political controls still limit fundamental freedoms in Tibet and Xinjiang and threatened Tibet's unique linguistic, religious and cultural heritage. The Chinese have refused to engage the Dalai Lama in substantive dialogue or permit international access to the boy he has designated as the Panchen Lama. Last year China signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We consider this an important step forward. Based on this and other commitments to advance human rights, no resolution was brought before this Commission last year. But signing the Covenant is not enough. It is time for China to implement it, by respecting the rights the ICCPR protects -- freedom of conscience, expression, religion, and association, and the right to a fair trial, personal security, and peaceful political dissent. In fact, as our resolution chronicles, China has violated these principles and the universal human rights of courageous dissidents. This Commission is the most important forum in the world for discussing human rights. No country is above its scrutiny. Nor do we nations do justice to the principles on which our work is based - or to the victims on whose behalf we do it -- if we sit in silence when serious violations of human rights persist. Madam Chair, it is not "confrontation" for this Commission to ask one of its members to obey international standards, it is not interference with internal affairs to ask a member state to respect the right of democratic dissent protected by international law. When Chinese dissidents have the courage to stand alone, we must have the courage to stand with them. We urge China to engage in genuine dialogue with its dissidents and the Dalai Lama, not just with members of this Commission. For these reasons, Madam Chair, we have introduced our resolution on the human rights situation in China, and we call on all other delegations to support it. Thank you. (end text)
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