REP. GILMAN WELCOMES CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTION

GENEVA (Jan. 12) - U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th - NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, released the following statement:

"I support the administration's recent decision to sponsor a resolution of censure condemning China's human rights practices at the upcoming session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva.

"Such a resolution is critically needed to address the deteriorating human rights in the People's Republic of China. China should take prompt steps to recognize international standards of human rights as called for in international covenants.

"The crackdown on political dissent, religious freedom, the Falun Gong and especially the Tibetans by the Beijing government is reprehensible and must be condemned by the international community.

"Hopefully this small step will go a long way in fostering respect for human rights for the more than one billion people of China."