January 11, 2000

STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN

UNITED STATES TO SPONSOR A CHINA RESOLUTION AT THE 56th SESSION OF UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

The United States will introduce a resolution on China's human rights practices at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, when it meets in Geneva in March.

The decision to go forward with a resolution at the Commission is based on the fact that the Government of China's human rights record has continued to deteriorate. Over the past year, the Government of China intensified its crackdown on political dissent, initiated a campaign to suppress the Falun Gong, and intensified controls on unregistered churches and on the political and religious expression of ethnic minority groups, especially Tibetans. Controls on the media and Internet have also been tightened.

These actions are contrary to internationally-recognized human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which China has signed. China has neither ratified this covenant nor taken significant, concrete steps to bring its human rights practices into compliance with it or other human rights instruments.

The United Nations Commission for Human Rights, the world's preeminent international forum on human rights, is the appropriate venue for members of the United Nations to discuss human rights issues. Our goal in sponsoring a China resolution is to foster increased respect for human rights in China.