No mention of ‘protection of North Korean defectors’ requested by South Korea
China self-assessed at the United Nations (UN) that “the majority of countries have recognized China’s achievements” regarding its human rights situation. However, no special comment was made regarding the South Korean government’s recommendations regarding the protection of North Korean defectors.
According to the Chinese state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 24th, Chinese Ambassador to Geneva Chen Xu held the 4th Universal Human Rights Periodic Review (UPR) of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland the previous day (local time) to promote ▲promoting people’s welfare and welfare ▲strengthening human rights legal guarantees ▲international human rights cooperation Promotion ▲ Announced 30 human rights guarantee measures, including support for UN human rights organizations.
At the same time, regarding China’s human rights situation, “the majority of countries recognize China’s continuous efforts and historical achievements to promote and guarantee human rights,” and “(the countries) want to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with China in the field of human rights.” He said.
Ambassador Chen also said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency after the meeting that day, “All countries highly evaluated China’s honest and pragmatic attitude and efficient and orderly organization.” He added, “During the review process, voices positively evaluating China’s human rights performance were heard at the meeting. “It became mainstream,” he emphasized.
The UN Human Rights Council’s periodic review of universal human rights is a meeting held once every five years. At the meeting, which started in 2008, China was reviewed in February 2009, October 2013, and November 2018.
However, Western countries are voicing criticism of China’s human rights situation at this meeting, calling for freedom of expression, protection of minority rights, and abolition of the Hong Kong security law.
In this regard, Xinhua News Agency said, “China has declared its solemn stance against some countries ignoring the truth and making groundless criticism and slander in speeches based on ideological prejudice, groundless rumors and lies.”
At this meeting, China did not make any special comments regarding the protection of North Korean defectors. Previously, Ambassador Yoon Seong-deok of the Korean Permanent Mission to Geneva recommended at the meeting that international law, including the principle of non-refoulement, be observed and appropriate protection be provided to defectors from overseas, including North Korean defectors.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said in a regular briefing on the same day, “Country-level human rights reviews are an important platform for each country to exchange equally and honestly on human rights issues and engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations,” adding, “China has always supported the United Nations.” “We are carrying out our work related to the human rights review of participating countries well in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Human Rights Council,” he emphasized.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.