China's critics, allies have 45 seconds each to speak in latest U.N. review of its human rights
The Hindu
China faces international scrutiny on January 23 over domestic polices in places such as Hong Kong, Tibet and the western Xinjiang region as the global power receives its latest United Nations-backed review of its human rights record.
China faces international scrutiny on January 23 over domestic polices in places such as Hong Kong, Tibet and the western Xinjiang region as the global power receives its latest United Nations-backed review of its human rights record.
An extraordinarily high number of more than 160 countries — some critics of Beijing, some allies — have registered to take part in a discussion around China's rights record. That means each will have no longer than 45 seconds to speak.
China, whose delegation will be led by its top Ambassador in Geneva, Chen Xu, can field a delegation that has up to 70 minutes to make its case.
The “universal periodic review” involves all U.N. member states coming up for scrutiny — at times a sharp one — by other countries roughly every five years. The hours-long discussion aims to offer constructive criticism that underpins a written a report that will offer recommendations, not criticism.
“These are all opportunities for countries to offer congratulations, criticisms and recommendations. Only recommendations expressly formulated as such ... are taken into account in the review report,” said Pascal Sim, the top spokesperson for the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, which helps organise the reviews.
Several human rights groups had events planned outside China's review, and the Tibet Advocacy Coalition, the World Uyghur Congress and human rights defenders in Hong Kong were expected to hold a joint news conference after the proceedings.
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