Germany's UN envoy urged China to release the 2 captive Canadians, China replied “Good Riddance”
Christoph Heusgen, UN envoy of Germany, attended his last meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday (Dec 22). At the meeting, he call on China to free the two detained Canadian citizens, but China deputy UN envoy Geng Shuang promptly respond with “good riddance”.
As Germany end its 2-years term as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this month, and Ambassador Christoph Heusgen's retirement after being a diplomat for over 40 years. He utilises his parting message to call on China, “Let me end my tenure on the Security Council by appealing to my Chinese colleagues to ask Beijing for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Christmas is the right moment for such a gesture,”
However, Geng accused Huesgen of abusing the Security Council to launch “malicious” attack on other members “in an attempt to poison the working atmosphere.” He said, “I wish to say something out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance, Ambassador Heusgen. I am hoping that the council in your absence in the year 2021 will be in a better position to fulfill the responsibilities...for maintaining international peace and security.”
#GengShuang #ChristophHuesgen #China #Germany #Canada #UN #SecurityCouncil #MichaelKovrig #MichaelSpavor
Source: Apple daily #Dec23
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201223/Z5NPPCONDZC6HHRDMAUPUVM2YU/
Christoph Heusgen, UN envoy of Germany, attended his last meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday (Dec 22). At the meeting, he call on China to free the two detained Canadian citizens, but China deputy UN envoy Geng Shuang promptly respond with “good riddance”.
As Germany end its 2-years term as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council this month, and Ambassador Christoph Heusgen's retirement after being a diplomat for over 40 years. He utilises his parting message to call on China, “Let me end my tenure on the Security Council by appealing to my Chinese colleagues to ask Beijing for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Christmas is the right moment for such a gesture,”
However, Geng accused Huesgen of abusing the Security Council to launch “malicious” attack on other members “in an attempt to poison the working atmosphere.” He said, “I wish to say something out of the bottom of my heart: Good riddance, Ambassador Heusgen. I am hoping that the council in your absence in the year 2021 will be in a better position to fulfill the responsibilities...for maintaining international peace and security.”
#GengShuang #ChristophHuesgen #China #Germany #Canada #UN #SecurityCouncil #MichaelKovrig #MichaelSpavor
Source: Apple daily #Dec23
https://hk.appledaily.com/international/20201223/Z5NPPCONDZC6HHRDMAUPUVM2YU/
Dominic Raab Urge Beijing to Allow the UN to Investigate Human Rights Issue in Xinjiang
Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Secretary, once again in a week criticised Beijing for harming human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. He also urged China to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the violation of the current Uyghurs human rights situation in Xinjiang.
Raab mentioned the cooperation stance between the UK and Xinjiang and expressed his opposing stance against Britain cooperating with Chinese enterprises, which exploited Xinjiang, at a BBC video interview with a political commentator Andrew Marr in Jan 17 morning local time. He mentioned that companies should not import product manufactured by forced labour in Xinjiang, ensuring that no organisation and institute from Britain would encourage violations of human rights in the area under the related policy. Raab expounded the British stance on the Xinjiang human rights issues the third time in a week, after briefing at the House of Commons last week and his conversation with Wang Yi.
Raab continued to express his concern over the issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. “We have joined 38 countries to criticise and to condemn the human rights violation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. We will take actions to restrict British enterprises to profit from their supply chains in these horrifying detention camps. China accuses the west and Britain of having fabricated lies on the issues. If China wants to dispute the accusation and report, the simplest way is to allow United Nation Human Rights Commissioners to visit and investigate these places.”
#DominicRaab #Britain #XinJiang #Uyghur #HumanRights #UN #HongKong #DetentionCamps #BBC #AndrewMarr
Sources: StandNews #Jan17
https://bit.ly/3qA5eCO
Dominic Raab, the British Foreign Secretary, once again in a week criticised Beijing for harming human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. He also urged China to allow the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate the violation of the current Uyghurs human rights situation in Xinjiang.
Raab mentioned the cooperation stance between the UK and Xinjiang and expressed his opposing stance against Britain cooperating with Chinese enterprises, which exploited Xinjiang, at a BBC video interview with a political commentator Andrew Marr in Jan 17 morning local time. He mentioned that companies should not import product manufactured by forced labour in Xinjiang, ensuring that no organisation and institute from Britain would encourage violations of human rights in the area under the related policy. Raab expounded the British stance on the Xinjiang human rights issues the third time in a week, after briefing at the House of Commons last week and his conversation with Wang Yi.
Raab continued to express his concern over the issues in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. “We have joined 38 countries to criticise and to condemn the human rights violation in Xinjiang and Hong Kong. We will take actions to restrict British enterprises to profit from their supply chains in these horrifying detention camps. China accuses the west and Britain of having fabricated lies on the issues. If China wants to dispute the accusation and report, the simplest way is to allow United Nation Human Rights Commissioners to visit and investigate these places.”
#DominicRaab #Britain #XinJiang #Uyghur #HumanRights #UN #HongKong #DetentionCamps #BBC #AndrewMarr
Sources: StandNews #Jan17
https://bit.ly/3qA5eCO
China Reportedly Urges UN Members to Boycott Xinjiang-Related Issues and Denounces Botched Anti-China Performance
According to Reuters, the UN representatives, such as Germany, the US and the UK originally planned to have a video meeting for Xinjiang human rights issues. It is reported that the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations criticized the relevant activities for political motives and “anti-China” and sent letters requesting other member states to boycott activities.
Reuters gain a note by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, criticizing the European member states such as Germany, United States, England, Australia, and Canada, to hold the activities of using “human rights issues” as a political tool to intervene China Xinjiang’s affairs, and to create division and turmoil in China’s development. China criticized that the related countries got addicted to advocate confrontation with China, stated those activities involved political motivation, and urged other member states not to participate in “anti-China activities”.
The report stated, ambassadors of the US, Germany, and the UK at the United Nations originally planned to speak out in the activity and invited the CEO of Human Rights Watch, Ken Roth, and the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, for participation. It mainly discussed how the United Nations and civil society support and speak out for human rights issues of Xinjiang Turks and other ethnic minorities.
Source: Stand News #May08
https://bit.ly/3hP3rJh
#China #Beijing #Xinjiang #Uyghurs #Turks #Minorities #HumanRights #SexualAbused #AntiChina #UnitedNations #UN #UnitedStates #US #Germany #England #UK #Australia #Canada #HumanRightsWatch #AmnestyInternational
According to Reuters, the UN representatives, such as Germany, the US and the UK originally planned to have a video meeting for Xinjiang human rights issues. It is reported that the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations criticized the relevant activities for political motives and “anti-China” and sent letters requesting other member states to boycott activities.
Reuters gain a note by the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations, criticizing the European member states such as Germany, United States, England, Australia, and Canada, to hold the activities of using “human rights issues” as a political tool to intervene China Xinjiang’s affairs, and to create division and turmoil in China’s development. China criticized that the related countries got addicted to advocate confrontation with China, stated those activities involved political motivation, and urged other member states not to participate in “anti-China activities”.
The report stated, ambassadors of the US, Germany, and the UK at the United Nations originally planned to speak out in the activity and invited the CEO of Human Rights Watch, Ken Roth, and the Secretary-General of Amnesty International, Agnes Callamard, for participation. It mainly discussed how the United Nations and civil society support and speak out for human rights issues of Xinjiang Turks and other ethnic minorities.
Source: Stand News #May08
https://bit.ly/3hP3rJh
#China #Beijing #Xinjiang #Uyghurs #Turks #Minorities #HumanRights #SexualAbused #AntiChina #UnitedNations #UN #UnitedStates #US #Germany #England #UK #Australia #Canada #HumanRightsWatch #AmnestyInternational
立場新聞 Stand News
中國據報促聯合國成員國杯葛涉疆議題活動 維族婦女美國會作證指遭性侵虐待 北京斥拙劣反華表演 | 立場報道 | 立場新聞
《路透社》報道,德國、美國及英國等聯合國代表,原定下周三(12日)就新疆人權問題舉行視像活動,據報中國常駐聯合...
#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29813
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong
Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News
Read more
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https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29813
#GlobalSupport
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong
Hong Kong Watch, a British non-government organization focusing on Hong Kong issues, released a statement on May 18, 2021, calling on the United Nations (UN) to form a special envoy to Hong Kong, in order to monitor the deteriorating human rights situation, as well as to coordinate an international response.
Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong, adds:
“The establishment of an international contact group to coordinate a global response would be a positive way forward. Moreover, the creation of a UN special envoy for Hong Kong would contribute both to monitoring human rights and encouraging dialogue and reconciliation. Many UN member states would see it as a constructive proposal worthy of support.”
Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News
https://www.facebook.com/HongKongWatchOrg/posts/3881971295256648
#ChrisPatten #LastGovernor #SpecialEnvoy
#HongKongWatch calls for establishment of a #UN Special Envoy for Hong Kong
Hong Kong Watch, a British non-government organization focusing on Hong Kong issues, released a statement on May 18, 2021, calling on the United Nations (UN) to form a special envoy to Hong Kong, in order to monitor the deteriorating human rights situation, as well as to coordinate an international response.
Lord Patten of Barnes, the last Governor of Hong Kong, adds:
“The establishment of an international contact group to coordinate a global response would be a positive way forward. Moreover, the creation of a UN special envoy for Hong Kong would contribute both to monitoring human rights and encouraging dialogue and reconciliation. Many UN member states would see it as a constructive proposal worthy of support.”
Source: Hong Kong Watch Facebook #May18
Image: Stand News
https://www.facebook.com/HongKongWatchOrg/posts/3881971295256648
#ChrisPatten #LastGovernor #SpecialEnvoy
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The UN General Assembly Condemns the Myanmar Military for Launching a Coup”, and Calls to Stop the Import of Weapons
The UN General Assembly rarely passed a non-legally binding resolution yesterday (18 June), condemning that the Myanmar military launched a coup and called for an arms embargo on Myanmar. The resolution indicates the international opposition to the junta government and demands Myanmar to resume the democratization process. After Belarus requested a recorded vote, resolution finally was passed with 119 agreed, one opposed, and 36 abstained. Belarus is the only one who voted objection.
The resolution requires the Myanmar military government to restore the democratization process and condemns their “excessive and deadly violence” since the coup. At the same time, the resolution calls on all countries to prevent the import of weapons into Myanmar and urges the military to respect the election result from November last year. It also requests that the military immediately release political figures, such as former President Win Min and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all people who had randomly been arrested. Moreover, the resolution demands that the military should stop treating peace protesters with violence and limiting the network and social media.
Source: Stand News #Jun19
https://bit.ly/3hUujr6
#UnitedNations #UN #Myanmar #Military #Belarus #Democracy #Violence #WinMin #AungSanSuuKyi
The UN General Assembly rarely passed a non-legally binding resolution yesterday (18 June), condemning that the Myanmar military launched a coup and called for an arms embargo on Myanmar. The resolution indicates the international opposition to the junta government and demands Myanmar to resume the democratization process. After Belarus requested a recorded vote, resolution finally was passed with 119 agreed, one opposed, and 36 abstained. Belarus is the only one who voted objection.
The resolution requires the Myanmar military government to restore the democratization process and condemns their “excessive and deadly violence” since the coup. At the same time, the resolution calls on all countries to prevent the import of weapons into Myanmar and urges the military to respect the election result from November last year. It also requests that the military immediately release political figures, such as former President Win Min and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and all people who had randomly been arrested. Moreover, the resolution demands that the military should stop treating peace protesters with violence and limiting the network and social media.
Source: Stand News #Jun19
https://bit.ly/3hUujr6
#UnitedNations #UN #Myanmar #Military #Belarus #Democracy #Violence #WinMin #AungSanSuuKyi
China at the UN: Choking Civil Society
The Chinese government’s crackdown on freedom of expression, independent thought, and civil society now extends beyond its borders. In the United Nations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) misuses its seat on the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Committee on Non-governmental Organizations (NGO Committee) to block applications from civil society organizations seeking UN consultative status. Consultative status enables NGOs to participate in UN activities, including hosting side events, gaining access to sessions, speaking at UN events and delivering statements.
Source: Journal of Democracy #Jul31
https://t.co/IgMB3ovTzV
#China #UN #PRC #NGO
The Chinese government’s crackdown on freedom of expression, independent thought, and civil society now extends beyond its borders. In the United Nations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) misuses its seat on the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s Committee on Non-governmental Organizations (NGO Committee) to block applications from civil society organizations seeking UN consultative status. Consultative status enables NGOs to participate in UN activities, including hosting side events, gaining access to sessions, speaking at UN events and delivering statements.
Source: Journal of Democracy #Jul31
https://t.co/IgMB3ovTzV
#China #UN #PRC #NGO
#China again blocks #WikimediaFoundation’s accreditation to World Intellectual Property Organization
//China today blocked the Wikimedia Foundation’s bid for observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organization (#WIPO) for the second timeafter the Foundation’s initial application in 2020.
WIPO is the #UnitedNations (#UN) organization that develops international treaties on copyright, patents, trademarks and related issues. China was again the only country to object to the accreditation of the Wikimedia Foundation as an official observer.
The Foundation will reapply for official observer status in 2022, but it will only be admitted by WIPO if China decides to lift its blockade.
WIPO’s work, which shapes international rules that affect the sharing of free knowledge, impacts Wikipedia’s ability to provide hundreds of millions of people with information in their own languages
As in 2020, China’s statement falsely suggested that the Wikimedia Foundation was spreading disinformation via the independent, volunteer-led #WikimediaTaiwan chapter. The United States and the group of industrialized countries at WIPO — which also includes many European Union member states, Australia, Canada, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom — expressed their support for the Foundation’s application. Since WIPO is generally run by consensus, any one country may veto accreditation requests by non-governmental organizations.//
Read full article:
https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2021/10/05/china-again-blocks-wikimedia-foundations-accreditation-to-world-intellectual-property-organization/
Source: Wikipedia Foundation #Oct5
#FalseAccusation #CCPRules #Wikipedia #IntellectualProperty
//China today blocked the Wikimedia Foundation’s bid for observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organization (#WIPO) for the second timeafter the Foundation’s initial application in 2020.
WIPO is the #UnitedNations (#UN) organization that develops international treaties on copyright, patents, trademarks and related issues. China was again the only country to object to the accreditation of the Wikimedia Foundation as an official observer.
The Foundation will reapply for official observer status in 2022, but it will only be admitted by WIPO if China decides to lift its blockade.
WIPO’s work, which shapes international rules that affect the sharing of free knowledge, impacts Wikipedia’s ability to provide hundreds of millions of people with information in their own languages
As in 2020, China’s statement falsely suggested that the Wikimedia Foundation was spreading disinformation via the independent, volunteer-led #WikimediaTaiwan chapter. The United States and the group of industrialized countries at WIPO — which also includes many European Union member states, Australia, Canada, the Holy See, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom — expressed their support for the Foundation’s application. Since WIPO is generally run by consensus, any one country may veto accreditation requests by non-governmental organizations.//
Read full article:
https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2021/10/05/china-again-blocks-wikimedia-foundations-accreditation-to-world-intellectual-property-organization/
Source: Wikipedia Foundation #Oct5
#FalseAccusation #CCPRules #Wikipedia #IntellectualProperty
Wikimedia Foundation
China again blocks Wikimedia Foundation’s accreditation to World Intellectual Property Organization – Wikimedia Foundation
5 October 2021, San Francisco, CA, USA — China today blocked the Wikimedia Foundation’s bid for observer status at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for the second time after the Foundation’s initial application in 2020. WIPO is the United…
China Makes Sure Everyone Writes Taiwan’s Name Just So—Even a Colorado High School
Trying to give some students a taste of foreign affairs, Colorado’s Regis Jesuit High School applied for credentials to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
This spring, the U.N. committee that accredits such groups emailed the school. It said there was a hiccup: Regis Jesuit’s website used incorrect terminology for Taiwan, the democratically governed island. The committee suggested modifying it to “Taiwan, Province of China.”
Source: WSJ #Sep10
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-makes-sure-everyone-writes-taiwans-name-just-soeven-a-colorado-high-school-11631304386
#UN #China #Taiwan #Student
Trying to give some students a taste of foreign affairs, Colorado’s Regis Jesuit High School applied for credentials to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
This spring, the U.N. committee that accredits such groups emailed the school. It said there was a hiccup: Regis Jesuit’s website used incorrect terminology for Taiwan, the democratically governed island. The committee suggested modifying it to “Taiwan, Province of China.”
Source: WSJ #Sep10
https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-makes-sure-everyone-writes-taiwans-name-just-soeven-a-colorado-high-school-11631304386
#UN #China #Taiwan #Student
China Is Choking Civil Society at the United Nations
The Jeju Olle Foundation has a straightforward and simple mission. The South Korean nongovernmental organization (NGO) seeks to maintain long-distance walking trails on the country’s Jeju Island. But the organization had drawn the ire of a Chinese diplomat. At a U.N. meeting in May, the Chinese official claimed the foundation had failed to “use the correct terminology for Taiwan Province on its website.” This offense spurred Beijing’s U.N. delegation to question the South Korean outfit’s application for U.N. consultative status—a vital civil society advocacy mechanism that, among other things, permits NGOs to participate in U.N. proceedings—during the May 21 session of the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations.
Source: Foreign Policy #Sep28
https://t.co/tcwIKaj7Jb
#China #UN #NGO #Taiwan #ECOSOC #Korean
The Jeju Olle Foundation has a straightforward and simple mission. The South Korean nongovernmental organization (NGO) seeks to maintain long-distance walking trails on the country’s Jeju Island. But the organization had drawn the ire of a Chinese diplomat. At a U.N. meeting in May, the Chinese official claimed the foundation had failed to “use the correct terminology for Taiwan Province on its website.” This offense spurred Beijing’s U.N. delegation to question the South Korean outfit’s application for U.N. consultative status—a vital civil society advocacy mechanism that, among other things, permits NGOs to participate in U.N. proceedings—during the May 21 session of the U.N. Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations.
Source: Foreign Policy #Sep28
https://t.co/tcwIKaj7Jb
#China #UN #NGO #Taiwan #ECOSOC #Korean
Report Says #China Invites #UN Official to #Xinjiang but Bans Investigating #HumanRights Issues
Source: RFA #Jan28
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Source: RFA #Jan28
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Report Says #China Invites #UN Official to #Xinjiang but Bans Investigating #HumanRights Issues
According to South China Morning Post (#SCMP) on #Jan27 2022, China allows the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to visit Xinjiang after the Winter Olympics; however, China does not allow Bachelet to investigate on human rights violation issues, causing United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR) to postpone their Xinjiang report publication date to after the Olympic Games.
China's Foreign Affairs Minister, #ZhaoLijian, claimed that China's stand is "consistent and clear": "The invitation aims to enhance the interactions and collaborations between the 2 parties. We oppose anyone to take advantage of political manipulation."
Human Rights Watch told #Reuter on #Jan28 that the Chinese government tries to distract the world with the winter Olympics from their inhumane crimes on #Uyghurs and other #Turkistan. They also reminded everyone, especially foreign affairs ministers, not to be fooled.
#HumanRightwWatch #MichelleBachelet
Source: RFA #Jan28
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/un-visit-01282022053808.html
According to South China Morning Post (#SCMP) on #Jan27 2022, China allows the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to visit Xinjiang after the Winter Olympics; however, China does not allow Bachelet to investigate on human rights violation issues, causing United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (#UNHCR) to postpone their Xinjiang report publication date to after the Olympic Games.
China's Foreign Affairs Minister, #ZhaoLijian, claimed that China's stand is "consistent and clear": "The invitation aims to enhance the interactions and collaborations between the 2 parties. We oppose anyone to take advantage of political manipulation."
Human Rights Watch told #Reuter on #Jan28 that the Chinese government tries to distract the world with the winter Olympics from their inhumane crimes on #Uyghurs and other #Turkistan. They also reminded everyone, especially foreign affairs ministers, not to be fooled.
#HumanRightwWatch #MichelleBachelet
Source: RFA #Jan28
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/un-visit-01282022053808.html
Radio Free Asia
【中國人權】傳中國允聯合國人權專員訪疆但不能調查侵犯人權 人權團體籲「勿被北京愚弄」
《南華早報》報道,中國同意接待聯合國人權事務高級專員巴切萊特在北京冬奧結束後訪新疆,條件是不作為對侵犯人權指控的調查,並要推遲發布關於新疆的報告到奧運會結束。人權團體籲勿被北京「愚弄」。
#UN votes to condemn #Russia’s invasion of #Ukraine and calls for withdrawal; #Beijing Abstains
On March 2, 2022, the United Nations (UN) has voted overwhelmingly for a resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.
In an emergency session of the UN’s general assembly held on March 2, 2022, 141 of the 193 member states voted for the resolution, 35 abstained, and five voted against.
The only countries in support of Moscow were Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria. Longstanding allies Cuba and Venezuela joined China in abstaining.
Source: Axios; #Mar2
On March 2, 2022, the United Nations (UN) has voted overwhelmingly for a resolution deploring Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.
In an emergency session of the UN’s general assembly held on March 2, 2022, 141 of the 193 member states voted for the resolution, 35 abstained, and five voted against.
The only countries in support of Moscow were Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria. Longstanding allies Cuba and Venezuela joined China in abstaining.
Source: Axios; #Mar2
#UN rights chief falls under wheels of China's propaganda machine
Beijing's propaganda machine has outwitted the UN human rights chief on her visit to China, campaigners say, leaving the envoy accused of playing a role in whitewashing abuses against minorities in Xinjiang.
"She must have the political courage and integrity to speak out when her words and her visit are being distorted," said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. "If she is not prepared and able to do so, she should not visit."
Michelle Bachelet's long-planned trip in late May has taken her to the far-western region where Beijing is accused of imprisoning over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, forcibly sterlising women and running labour camps that fuel global supply chains.
The United States and multiple western lawmakers have labelled the actions a "genocide", allegations vehemently denied by China which says it has only conducted necessary security operations to squash extremism and beef up development.
Bachelet has come under fire from rights groups and Uyghurs overseas, who say she has been suckered into a slickly choreographed Communist Party tour including a conversation with President Xi Jinping later portrayed in state media as a mutual endorsement of China's high ideals on rights.
It is "as clear as day" that China has so far used the visit "to promote its own narrative and defend its poor human rights record", said Alkan Akad, a China researcher at Amnesty.
The goal is "to show the world that it can bend a top UN human rights official -- and thus the very concept of human rights -- to its will," said Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch.
London-based Uyghur activist Rahima Mahmut slammed the visit as "window dressing".
"This is not the neutral, independent, unfettered investigation that we were promised," she told AFP.
Instead, Beijing was seeking "a free pass to continue carrying out repression, surveillance, torture and genocide against communities like mine", she added.
The hard details of what Bachelet saw and who she met during the visit have been largely withheld on a trip carried out in a "closed loop" by order of Beijing, ostensibly due to Covid risks.
China has filled the information vacuum, with state media running gleeful readouts of meetings between her and Xi as well as foreign minster Wang Yi.
They reported that Bachelet said she "admired China's efforts and achievements in ... protecting human rights" during the virtual call with Xi.
A spokesperson for Bachelet did not confirm whether the reports were accurate when contacted by AFP, instead saying the UN would not publish readouts of bilateral meetings.
A later, hurried "clarification" by the UN stopped short of denying that she had praised China's rights record. But neither side mentioned Xinjiang in their readouts.
Norway-based Uyghur activist Abduweli Ayup said he was "disappointed" that Bachelet had appeared to allow Beijing to "misinterpret" her words.
"They have already used (her) for propaganda," he told AFP.
Read the full article:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220527-un-rights-chief-falls-under-wheels-of-china-s-propaganda-machine
Source: France 24 #May27
#Uyghur #Genocide #UN #HumanRights #CCPPropaganda
Beijing's propaganda machine has outwitted the UN human rights chief on her visit to China, campaigners say, leaving the envoy accused of playing a role in whitewashing abuses against minorities in Xinjiang.
"She must have the political courage and integrity to speak out when her words and her visit are being distorted," said Steve Tsang, director of the SOAS China Institute. "If she is not prepared and able to do so, she should not visit."
Michelle Bachelet's long-planned trip in late May has taken her to the far-western region where Beijing is accused of imprisoning over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, forcibly sterlising women and running labour camps that fuel global supply chains.
The United States and multiple western lawmakers have labelled the actions a "genocide", allegations vehemently denied by China which says it has only conducted necessary security operations to squash extremism and beef up development.
Bachelet has come under fire from rights groups and Uyghurs overseas, who say she has been suckered into a slickly choreographed Communist Party tour including a conversation with President Xi Jinping later portrayed in state media as a mutual endorsement of China's high ideals on rights.
It is "as clear as day" that China has so far used the visit "to promote its own narrative and defend its poor human rights record", said Alkan Akad, a China researcher at Amnesty.
The goal is "to show the world that it can bend a top UN human rights official -- and thus the very concept of human rights -- to its will," said Maya Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch.
London-based Uyghur activist Rahima Mahmut slammed the visit as "window dressing".
"This is not the neutral, independent, unfettered investigation that we were promised," she told AFP.
Instead, Beijing was seeking "a free pass to continue carrying out repression, surveillance, torture and genocide against communities like mine", she added.
The hard details of what Bachelet saw and who she met during the visit have been largely withheld on a trip carried out in a "closed loop" by order of Beijing, ostensibly due to Covid risks.
China has filled the information vacuum, with state media running gleeful readouts of meetings between her and Xi as well as foreign minster Wang Yi.
They reported that Bachelet said she "admired China's efforts and achievements in ... protecting human rights" during the virtual call with Xi.
A spokesperson for Bachelet did not confirm whether the reports were accurate when contacted by AFP, instead saying the UN would not publish readouts of bilateral meetings.
A later, hurried "clarification" by the UN stopped short of denying that she had praised China's rights record. But neither side mentioned Xinjiang in their readouts.
Norway-based Uyghur activist Abduweli Ayup said he was "disappointed" that Bachelet had appeared to allow Beijing to "misinterpret" her words.
"They have already used (her) for propaganda," he told AFP.
Read the full article:
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220527-un-rights-chief-falls-under-wheels-of-china-s-propaganda-machine
Source: France 24 #May27
#Uyghur #Genocide #UN #HumanRights #CCPPropaganda
France 24
UN rights chief falls under wheels of China's propaganda machine
Beijing's propaganda machine has outwitted the UN human rights chief on her visit to China, campaigners say, leaving the envoy accused of playing a role in whitewashing abuses against minorities in Xinjiang.
#UN rights committee seeks assurances hearing participants from Hong Kong won’t be targeted under security law
//The #UnitedNations #HumanRightsCommittee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its #nationalsecuritylaw, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the legislation.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs #ErickTsang and several other top officials attended the meeting in Geneva via video link. In his opening speech, which lasted just under 20 minutes, Tsang said the government had done much to protect #humanrights in Hong Kong.
He also cited Chinese leader #XiJinping as saying the One Country, Two Systems policy has been working well, adding it was recognised by 1.4 billion Chinese people and the international community...
The UN Committee members, however, were not convinced the security law offered sufficient protections for people’s rights and freedoms.
“I note, honourable secretary, your comment about the events that precipitated this law, but I must observe that it was done overnight, without consultation, and bypassing the local legislature,” the committee’s vice chair Christopher Arif Bulkan said.
Another vice chair, Shuichi Furuya from Japan, expressed concern at the overarching nature and broad scope of the legislation. He said the committee had received reports about organisations overseas being requested by Hong Kong authorities to remove content that may be in violation of it....
The meeting of the committee of 18 international experts will continue on Friday and next Tuesday, while a closing session will take place on July 22, 2022.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/07/07/un-committee-starts-first-review-of-hong-kong-human-rights-since-security-law/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jul7
#NSL #FailedState #UnitedNations
//The #UnitedNations #HumanRightsCommittee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its #nationalsecuritylaw, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the legislation.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs #ErickTsang and several other top officials attended the meeting in Geneva via video link. In his opening speech, which lasted just under 20 minutes, Tsang said the government had done much to protect #humanrights in Hong Kong.
He also cited Chinese leader #XiJinping as saying the One Country, Two Systems policy has been working well, adding it was recognised by 1.4 billion Chinese people and the international community...
The UN Committee members, however, were not convinced the security law offered sufficient protections for people’s rights and freedoms.
“I note, honourable secretary, your comment about the events that precipitated this law, but I must observe that it was done overnight, without consultation, and bypassing the local legislature,” the committee’s vice chair Christopher Arif Bulkan said.
Another vice chair, Shuichi Furuya from Japan, expressed concern at the overarching nature and broad scope of the legislation. He said the committee had received reports about organisations overseas being requested by Hong Kong authorities to remove content that may be in violation of it....
The meeting of the committee of 18 international experts will continue on Friday and next Tuesday, while a closing session will take place on July 22, 2022.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/07/07/un-committee-starts-first-review-of-hong-kong-human-rights-since-security-law/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jul7
#NSL #FailedState #UnitedNations
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
UN rights committee seeks assurances hearing participants from Hong Kong won’t be targeted under security law
The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Thursday began reviewing Hong Kong’s rights record for the first time since Beijing imposed its national security law, amid questions about whether groups making submissions to the meeting could fall foul of the…
Missile funding?: #NorthKorea seen smuggling coal to #China
//North Korea is likely shipping coal directly to Chinese ports, activity that is banned from international trade under United Nations Security Council sanctions, a Nikkei investigation found.
Nikkei obtained satellite images of a North Korean-registered ship carrying coal, and confirmed that the ship directly went to China by examining data from the vessel's automatic identification system (AIS).
It is likely that China -- one of five permanent members of the Security Council -- is involved in smuggling activities and shows that current U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang to prevent it acquiring funds for missile development are not being fully implemented...
Nikkei obtained data on about 180 vessels -- including North Korean-flagged ships and vessels that had been cited for sanctions violations in the past -- from ship information companies MarineTraffic and Refinitiv, and traced their movements for about 18 months from January 2021.
There were 37 vessels that stayed in the port of Longkou for several days while transmitting AIS data. Similarly, at least 20 vessels called at ports in Liaoning and Hebei provinces, which handle large volumes of coal.
Regarding the movements of North Korean vessels, there have been previous reports that they would cut their AIS transmissions, making them impossible to follow, and trade at night.
Observers have often noted ship-to-ship transfers North Korea has used to circumvent conventional distribution channels, but it appears the country does not try to hide sanction-violating shipments anymore.//
Source: Asia Nikkei #Jun29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/Missile-funding-North-Korea-seen-smuggling-coal-to-China
#UN #CCP
//North Korea is likely shipping coal directly to Chinese ports, activity that is banned from international trade under United Nations Security Council sanctions, a Nikkei investigation found.
Nikkei obtained satellite images of a North Korean-registered ship carrying coal, and confirmed that the ship directly went to China by examining data from the vessel's automatic identification system (AIS).
It is likely that China -- one of five permanent members of the Security Council -- is involved in smuggling activities and shows that current U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang to prevent it acquiring funds for missile development are not being fully implemented...
Nikkei obtained data on about 180 vessels -- including North Korean-flagged ships and vessels that had been cited for sanctions violations in the past -- from ship information companies MarineTraffic and Refinitiv, and traced their movements for about 18 months from January 2021.
There were 37 vessels that stayed in the port of Longkou for several days while transmitting AIS data. Similarly, at least 20 vessels called at ports in Liaoning and Hebei provinces, which handle large volumes of coal.
Regarding the movements of North Korean vessels, there have been previous reports that they would cut their AIS transmissions, making them impossible to follow, and trade at night.
Observers have often noted ship-to-ship transfers North Korea has used to circumvent conventional distribution channels, but it appears the country does not try to hide sanction-violating shipments anymore.//
Source: Asia Nikkei #Jun29
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/N-Korea-at-crossroads/Missile-funding-North-Korea-seen-smuggling-coal-to-China
#UN #CCP
Nikkei Asia
Missile funding?: North Korea seen smuggling coal to China
Nikkei probe of satellite imagery finds both nations may be violating UN sanctions
#MyanmarJunta executes leading democracy activists
//Myanmar's military junta executed two prominent pro-democracy activists and two other men accused of terrorism, state media reported Monday, following a trial condemned by the #UN and rights groups.
Veteran democracy activist #KyawMinYu, better known as #KoJimmy, and former #NationalLeagueforDemocracy lawmaker #PhyoZayarThaw were executed, along with #HlaMyoAung and #AungThuraZaw, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported, without giving a date.
Their deaths mark the first judicial executions in the country in decades, andhuman rights groups fear more will follow. According to #HumanRightsWatch, 114 people have been sentenced to death in Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021.//
Read the full article:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/24/asia/myanmar-executions-pro-democracy-figures-intl-hnk/index.html
Source: CNN #Jul24
#DeathSentence #Authoritarianism #Tyranny #PoliticalProsecution #StandWithMyanmar
//Myanmar's military junta executed two prominent pro-democracy activists and two other men accused of terrorism, state media reported Monday, following a trial condemned by the #UN and rights groups.
Veteran democracy activist #KyawMinYu, better known as #KoJimmy, and former #NationalLeagueforDemocracy lawmaker #PhyoZayarThaw were executed, along with #HlaMyoAung and #AungThuraZaw, the Global New Light of Myanmar reported, without giving a date.
Their deaths mark the first judicial executions in the country in decades, andhuman rights groups fear more will follow. According to #HumanRightsWatch, 114 people have been sentenced to death in Myanmar since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021.//
Read the full article:
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/24/asia/myanmar-executions-pro-democracy-figures-intl-hnk/index.html
Source: CNN #Jul24
#DeathSentence #Authoritarianism #Tyranny #PoliticalProsecution #StandWithMyanmar