UN Committee Reviews China’s Human Rights Record in Geneva

Auf einen Blick

• A two-day hearing opened at the United Nations human rights office in Geneva to review China’s human rights record.
• Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu and a delegation of about 40 envoys from China, Hong Kong and Macau faced questions from the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
• Questions included discrimination, access to lawyers, and assurances that Chinese multinational firms wouldn’t undermine human rights abroad.
• Hong Kong officials insisted that the security law has specific provisions for respecting human rights.
• The U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will now review the answers and issue a report with its findings and recommendations.

Die Details

A Two-Day Hearing Opens at the U.N.

A two-day hearing opened at the United Nations human rights office in Geneva on Wednesday to review China’s human rights record.

Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu and a delegation of about 40 envoys from China, Hong Kong and Macau faced questions from the U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

China’s Response

This is the first time a Chinese delegation has traveled to answer to a U.N. body in Geneva since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Chen cited poverty alleviation, education, longer life spans in China, and support for other countries.

He also acknowledged that there is still room for improvement in areas such as education, jobs, medical care, housing and environmental protection.

Questions from Nongovernmental Groups

The hearing was built around questions from submissions from nearly 20 nongovernmental groups. Questions included discrimination, access to lawyers, and assurances that Chinese multinational firms wouldn’t undermine human rights abroad.

Hong Kong officials insisted that the security law has specific provisions for respecting human rights.

Chinese delegates were expected to provide at least some answers as the hearing concluded on Thursday.

The U.N. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will now review the answers and issue a report with its findings and recommendations. It is expected to be released in the coming months.