DATE=4/18/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=RIGHTS / CHINA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261470
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China has once again succeeded in blocking
discussion of its alleged human-rights abuses at the
U-N Human Rights Commission. Lisa Schlein in Geneva
reports the commission voted not to act on a U-S
resolution denouncing China's human-rights record.
TEXT: China once again evaded scrutiny of its human-
rights record by using a procedural measure - a motion
that the commission simply take no action on the
proposed resolution.
The Nepalese chairman of the Human Rights Commission
announced the results to loud applause.
/// CHAIRMAN ACT //
The "No Action" motion on resolution L-30 has
been adopted with a role call vote of 22 in
favor, 18 against with 12 abstentions.
(Applause)
/// END ACT ///
China and its supporters from developing countries
were pleased with the outcome. The Chinese ambassador
accused the United States, which sponsored the
resolution, of making unwarranted attacks on China and
of engaging in anti-China political farce that was a
mockery toward the commission and its members.
The U-S representative expressed regrets that debate
was cut off. He said China's human-rights record has
deteriorated markedly during the past 12-months.
A representative from Human Rights Watch, Joanna
Weschler, said the commission's decision to take no-
action on the China resolution shows what she calls a
deplorable lack of political will. She says the
victims of China's repressive policies would now feel
abandoned. And she says China's victory at the
commission could result in more deterioration of human
rights in China.
/// WESHCLER ACT ///
One other disappointing element of this event
that just finished at the commission is the fact
that the United States was there alone with the
resolution. The European Union and several
other countries, which had professed their
concern for human rights in China, in their
statements even here just days ago, in some
cases, chose not to co-sponsor the resolution.
The United States was alone.
/// END ACT ///
Although the European Union did not sponsor the China
resolution, all seven E-U nations that are members of
the commission cast separate votes against the
proposal to take no action.
This is the ninth time since the 1989 killings of
protesters in Tianenman Square that China has escaped
censure at the main U-N human-rights forum. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/JWH/rae
18-Apr-2000 11:03 AM EDT (18-Apr-2000 1503 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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