AFP: China escapes hostile human rights resolution, angering campaigners

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GENEVA, April 10 (AFP) - China's human rights record will not face scrutiny by the UN's top human rights forum, a UN spokeswoman said on Wednesday, triggering anger from rights organisations.

"The last deadline for resolutions to be presented was Wednesday at 1600 GMT. None of them are regarding China," said Veronique Taveau, spokeswoman for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson after none of the Commission's 53 members submitted a resolution on China.

The failure of the Commission's 53 members to submit a resolution on China provoked angry condemnation from campaigners, including US-based Human Rights Watch which denounced it as a "lamentable lack of political will"

Spokesman Reed Brody singled out for criticism the European Union and the United States, which this year has been relegated for the first time to observer status.

"In past years China had to at least defend its human rights record, this year it is not even being questioned," he said.

Even though China has faced hostile resolutions every year since 1990 -- with the exception of 1995 -- the resolutions have never actually been voted on or adopted.

Beijing has always successfully blocked the votes even being introduced by using a procedural loophole called a "no-action motion."

Three Tibet non-governmental organisations also vigorously criticised the "political apathy" of the 15-nation EU for failing to act on China.

"This sends the wrong signal to the Tibetan people," said Tsering Jampa of the International Campaign for Tibet.


http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/br/Qun-rights-china.RuCk_CAA.html

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