China supports the creation of a UN Human Rights Council, and
strengthening the UN's role in the field of human rights, Zhang
Yishan, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said
on Wednesday.
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Addressing the UN General Assembly after the adoption of the
resolution to set up the new UN Human Rights Council, Zhang said
that its creation marks a historic moment.
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"The international community and people all over the world have
great expectations of the council," he said. "They hope that the
council will play its due role in protecting human rights and
fundamental freedoms on a global level."
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Zhang highlighted the draft resolution's emphasis on civil,
political, economic, social, cultural and the right to development
being interlinked and equally important.
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He stressed that it indicates that the human rights issue should be
dealt with impartially to avoid double standards and
politicization, and promote genuine interactive dialogue and
cooperation.
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"The above principles shall become the guidelines for the future
work of the council so as to avoid the reoccurrence of political
confrontation at the Commission on Human Rights," Zhang
declared.
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However, he also made it clear that the draft resolution has failed
to fully reflect all the concerns of many developing countries,
including China.
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"First, it does not provide effective guarantees against political
confrontation, which was a major disadvantage of the Commission on
Human Rights," Zhang noted.
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"Second, 'the universal periodic review' to be developed by the
council could overlap with the work of human rights treaty bodies
and other special mechanisms, which could increase the reporting
burdens of developing countries.
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"Third, according to our understanding, recommendations by the
council are limited to the General Assembly."
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Zhang also promised that China is ready to adopt an active and open
attitude, to cooperate closely with all other parties, and play an
active part in the work of the council.
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(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2006)