Yang Jianli, a dissident in exile in the US, was disrupted seconds into his remarks by Chen Cheng of China’s diplomatic mission

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A Chinese diplomat repeatedly interrupted a speech by a prominent Chinese dissident to block him from addressing the UN human rights council, in a failed attempt that bared China’s sensitivity on human rights.

Yang Jianli, a dissident in exile in the United States, was disrupted seconds into his remarks as he questioned the Chinese Communist party’s right to represent China at the UN body. Yang was invited to appear before the human rights council meeting by UN-accredited advocacy group UN Watch.

Chen Cheng of China’s diplomatic mission stepped in and insisted that Yang’s intervention “seriously affected the reputation of council, and it should be firmly opposed”.

Yang went on to cite events from decades of recent Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and the crackdown on the Falun Gong and democratic movements.

“Millions of people have died,” he said.

Chen interrupted again, appealing to the chair to “rule against his speaking”.

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Invited to continue speaking instead, Yang warned that China “will return to the road of personal dictatorship” to control speech and crack down on activists, churches in Xinjiang and Tibet. He did not elaborate in the time-limited address.

Chen insisted that Yang was speaking outside the topic of the session. Both spoke in Chinese, and their comments were translated.

Yang participated in the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and served five years in prison in China.

Tuesday’s conflict came during debate about the Vienna declaration and program of action, which says non-governmental organizations “should be free to carry out their human rights activities, without interference”.</s>Chinese diplomat repeatedly interrupted a speech by a prominent Chinese dissident in a failed attempt to block him from addressing the UN Human Rights Council.

Yang Jianli, a dissident in exile in the United States, was disrupted seconds into his remarks on Tuesday as he questioned the Chinese Communist Party’s right to represent China at the UN body. Yang was invited to appear before the Human Rights Council meeting by UN-accredited advocacy group UN Watch.

Chen Cheng of China’s diplomatic mission stepped in and insisted that Yang’s intervention “seriously affected the reputation of council, and it should be firmly opposed.”

But Yang went on to cite events from decades of recent Chinese history, including the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution and the crackdown on the Falun Gong and democratic movements.

“Millions of people have died,” he said.

Chen interrupted again, appealing to the chair to “rule against his speaking.”

Invited to continue speaking instead, Yang warned that China “will return to the road of personal dictatorship” to control speech and crackdown on activists, churches in Xinjiang and Tibet. He did not elaborate in the time-limited address.

Chen insisted that Yang was speaking outside the topic of the session. Both spoke in Chinese, and their comments were translated.

Yang participated in the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and served five years in prison in China.

Tuesday’s conflict came during debate about the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which says non-governmental organisations “should be free to carry out their human rights activities, without interference.”</s>A Chinese diplomat repeatedly interrupted a brief speech by prominent Chinese dissident in a failed attempt to block him from speaking at the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Seconds into his talk, the dissident, Yang Jianli, was cut off as he questioned the Chinese Communist Party's right to represent China at the U.N. body.

Chen Cheng of China's diplomatic mission stepped in and insisted that Yang's intervention, on an invitation from U.N.-accredited advocacy group UN Watch, "has seriously affected the reputation of council, and it should be firmly opposed."

Tuesday's standoff came during debate about the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action, which among other things says non-governmental organizations "should be free to carry out their human rights activities, without interference."</s>The United Nations Security Council cancelled a meeting on human rights violations in Syria on Monday after Russian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Gennady Kuzmin called for a procedural vote on the briefing's agenda."This really confirms the politicized nature of this initiative, that has nothing to do with concerns for Syrians itself," Kuzmin said of the effort to hold the briefing. "We believe there is a need to cancel this briefing, and we are going to asked the distinguished president to put this situation to a procedural vote."The provisional agenda - which would have involved a briefing by the UN human rights chief - was put to a vote. Eight countries supported the initiative, but four others, including Russia and China, blocked it. Three council members abstained from voting.The council's rules required nine "yes" votes for the provisional agenda's adoption.Monday's meeting began with Kuzmin asking Security Council member states what specifically would be discussed and who was behind the initiative.French Ambassador to UN Francois Delattre responded that France and seven other members of the Security Council requested the meeting for "methodological reasons and reasons of substance." Delattre urged the international body to consider the matter of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and to not dissociate this issue from efforts to reach a political solution to the conflict.He said Russia was opposed to holding the briefing in the format it has been proposed.US Representative to the UN Kelley Currie said the United Stated would vote in favor of proceeding with the meeting as planned. She argued that Russia's "efforts to obstruct the work of the council... are appalling."Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari later told reporters that the failed vote to hold the UN Security Council meeting shows an attempt by some influential members to manipulate the council's rules.Jaafari said the vote was very important because those who "confiscated" the council to defend their own interests had failed.Meetings on human rights issues are not the mandate of the Security Council, but there is a council on human rights in Geneva, he added.The international community is deeply divided over the conflict in Syria, with many countries including the United States and Russia involved in the conflict.Russia has deployed forces to the country at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad , who sought Moscow's help battling terrorist groups including the Islamic State (IS or Daesh )*.The United States leads a coalition of states that is also battling the IS terrorist group, but its presence has not been approved by the Syrian government or the UN Security Council.*Terrorist organization, banned in Russia.</s>Russia used a procedural vote to halt a United Nations Security Council meeting from taking place Monday on the human rights crisis in Syria -- but other members including the United States outmaneuvered the Russians by calling for an informal meeting.

Russia, which has consistently protected its ally Syria in the council chamber, claimed that the issue of human rights was not a subject on the council’s agenda and forced a vote. The council could not reach nine votes for the meeting to proceed; China, Kazakhstan and Bolivia voted with Russia while the three African members on the council abstained.

While obviously angered by the Russian vote, France, Britain, Sweden and the U.S. called for an informal Security Council meeting where all who wanted to listen to a briefing on the human rights situation in Syria could do so.

At the informal meeting, the U.N. Human Rights commissioner, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, criticized the Security Council for not doing enough for Syria. “The Security Council has not lived up to the sacrifice of these heroes in Syria, it has not taken decisive action to defend human rights and prevent further loss of life despite the absolutely shameful conduct that has marked this conflict from the outset,” he said.

Al Hussein said the Syrian regime’s siege of Eastern Ghouta “involved pervasive war crimes,” noting “the use of chemical weaponry, enforced starvation as a weapon of warfare and the denial of essential and life-saving aid.”

French Ambassador to the U.N. Francois Delattre, who chaired the meeting, said that just three convoys had gotten through to those in need since U.N. Security Council resolution 2401 passed last month, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire.

U.S. Representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council Kelley Currie responded, “The depth of depravity to which the Syrian government and its backers will sink is unfathomable. Of course, for a regime that is willing to systematically torture its own people, its own children, starving them is nothing.”

She continued, “The Assad regime, along with its backers in Moscow and Tehran, should immediately adhere to the Resolution 2401 ceasefire, cease their hostilities, and allow unfettered humanitarian access.”

Britain’s U.N. Ambassador Jonathan Allen said Russia’s claim that Human Rights was not a topic for the Security Council was wrong and noted that the ceasefire resolution specifically referenced the importance of human rights and international human rights law.

Allen said he was not surprised that Russia did not want the Security Council to meet on Syria, saying, “The truth of what is happening in Syria is deeply uncomfortable for all who protect Assad.”

One Security Council diplomat from France, which sponsored the informal meeting, tweeted, “@RussiaUN and 6 other countries blocked @UNHumanRights Chief #Zeid delivering his briefing on violations of human rights in #Syria in the Security Council chamber but did NOT stop him from briefing the Security Council members anyway, in a different room, with all 15 members present.”

Earlier Monday, seven members of the Security Council including the U.S., France, the U.K. and Kuwait wrote a letter to the Security Council president expressing their “profound concern about the lack of implementation of Security Council resolution 2401.”

The letter threatened action if there was no immediate change. It said, “If Member States do not implement this resolution, it is imperative that this Council immediately pursue decisive action to achieve a full cessation of hostilities throughout Syria, to facilitate humanitarian access, and to protect the Syrian people.”

Since Security Council Resolution 2401 was passed, some 1,700 civilians have been killed in Eastern Ghouta, according to Syrian monitoring groups. On Monday, opposition groups reported that napalm was unleashed on civilians killing up to 60 people.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced last week that the U.S. has been working on a new draft resolution that would seek to implement an immediate ceasefire. So far that draft resolution has not been put up for a vote but diplomats tell Fox News it could come up for a vote sometime this week.</s>UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Russia on Monday blocked a meeting of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the human rights situation in Syria.

“We do not see any justification for this meeting since human rights is not a subject on the agenda of the security council,” said Gennady Kuzmin, deputy permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations.

Russia is the largest international backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

France and six other members had called for the meeting, which was expected to include a briefing from Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights.

“Our council needs to have all necessary information to understand the crisis that it is examining, including those pertaining to human rights. And this is particularly the case in Syria,” said French U.N. ambassador Francois Delattre.

Kuzmin asked for a procedural vote and only eight delegations voted in favor of having the meeting, one short of the number required.

China, Bolivia and Kazakhstan voted with Russia to prevent the meeting, while Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia were abstentions.

Those who voted to hold the meeting alongside France were the United Kingdom, Sweden, Poland, Holland, the United States, Peru and Kuwait. All except Kuwait later hosted an informal meeting in which Zeid was expected to speak.</s>NYU and one of its law professors on Monday backed off claims that Chinese human-rights activist Bob Fu had planted spyware on an iPhone and iPad given to Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng.

NYU and Prof. Jerome Cohen made the accusations in June as they deflected charges from Chen that NYU was booting him under pressure from the Chinese government.

Fu, who at the time was portrayed as a pro-life radical trying to take advantage of Chen’s good name, was trying to monitor Chen remotely with compromised Apple devices, Cohen told Reuters at the time.

“These people supposedly were out to help him, and they give him a kind of Trojan horse that would have enabled them to monitor his communications secretly,” Cohen said.

The accusations resulted from a “misunderstanding” of how the software in the gadgets worked, NYU and Cohen said in a statement.

Chen arrived at NYU in May 2012 after making a dramatic escape from house arrest in China. He left the school this summer.

NYU said Chen’s exit had nothing to do with its under-construction campus in Shanghai.</s>Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Mars 2018 modifié le 20 Mars 2018 - 20:41 

 Over the past 5 years, 31,527 prisoners were granted amnesty across the country, and a total of 2.67 billion yuan ($420 million) of judicial subsidies have been granted to victims who failed to get compensations to help them continue with their life, said the work report of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), adding that the number of juvenile crimes has been on a fall for 5 consecutive years. As China’s human rights development has become a focus on the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the figures and facts released during China’s ongoing annual sessions of national legislature and top political advisory body can offer a glimpse into the country’s achievements in this undertaking over the past 5 years. 

 

 Thanks to the huge economic and social progress in the past 5 years, China has made remarkable accomplishments in protecting the rights to survival and development. 

 

 China’s GDP has risen from 54 trillion ($8.5 trillion) to 82.7 trillion yuan ($13.1 trillion), registering average annual growth of 7.1 percent, said the report on the work of the government delivered at the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress. 

 

 The country has moved forward in ensuring people’s economic, social and cultural rights as well. The country’s social old-age pension schemes now cover more than 900 million people, and the basic health insurance plans cover 1.35 billion people, forming the largest social safety net in the world, said the government work report, adding that life expectancy has reached 76.7 years on average. 

 

 Besides, China has given its best-of-all-time performance on poverty alleviation with a decisive progress. Over the past five years, more than 68 million people have been lifted out of poverty, including a total of 8.3 million relocated from inhospitable areas, and the poverty headcount ratio has dropped from 10.2 to 3.1 percent, according to the report. 

 

 The impoverished population of the country dropped to 30.46 million in 2017 from 98.99 million in 2012, which was equivalent to an annual reduction of 13.7 million. The report added that China will further reduce the poor rural population by over 10 million this year. 

 

 In terms of employment, the biggest concern for people’s livelihood, China managed to keep a low unemployment rate in the past five years. The work report noted that more than 66 million new urban jobs have been added, and China, with its population of over 1.3 billion, has achieved relatively full employment. 

 

 The unemployment rate in urban China stood at 3.9% in 2017, a record low since the outburst of the global economic crisis in 2008. The International Labour Organization believes that China’s employment policy is a great combination of modern employment theories, global experiences and China’s reality. 

 

 As a result of China’s all-round efforts to deepen judicial reform, judicial protection of human rights has been progressing as well. 

 

 Over the past 5 years, 31,527 prisoners were granted amnesty across the country, and a total of 2.67 billion yuan ($420 million) of judicial subsidies have been granted to victims who failed to get compensations to help them continue with their life, said the work report of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), adding that the number of juvenile crimes has been on a fall for 5 consecutive years. 

 

 Keeping to the principles of legality, judgment by evidence, presumption of innocence, and exclusion of unlawful evidence since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), China has improved its defense system, established national judicial assistance system, and promoted judicial transparency, resulting in a significant improvement in the judicial protection of human rights. 

 

 A wide range of international exchanges and cooperation on human rights were launched by China as well. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said previously that with a full engagement in international human rights cooperation in the past 5 years, China has pushed for the establishment of a just and equitable international system for human rights. 

 

 China has held more than 50 dialogues on human rights with over 20 developed and developing countries, enlarging its circle of friends to include as many countries as possible, according to the minister. 

 

 “China has made unprecedented achievements on human rights in the history, by lifting more than 700 million people, or over 70% of the world’s total impoverished population, out of poverty in only 30 years,” said Piotr Gadzinowski, chief editor of Polish newspaper Tribune and former member of the Polish parliament. 

 

 He said that the huge achievements, as well as the development path chosen by the Chinese people deserve respect from every country and government. 

 

 Chinese President Xi Jinping has given the answer to such remarkable achievements in his congratulatory letter to the international symposium on the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations' "Declaration on the Right to Development" on Dec. 4, 2016. 

 

 “For years China has put the people first during its development, increasing their benefits, ensuring the people are their own masters and supporting development in an all-round way,” Xi said in the letter, adding that these are both the starting points and the goals of development. 

 

 China has effectively safeguarded the people’s right to development and carved out a human rights development path with Chinese characteristics, he added.</s>China says its people have more civil, political rights than ever before

China said on Friday that its people today enjoy the greatest level of political and civil rights ever, in a report issued just days after the European Union and United States expressed extreme concern over a deterioration in human rights in China.

In the last five years, Chinese president Xi Jinping has presided over what rights groups decry as an elevated crackdown on the country's rights activists and lawyers, with dozens arrested and hundreds detained.

Ahead of Human Rights Day last Sunday, the European Union and the United States released statements saying they were "extremely concerned" about a deterioration of human rights in China, citing measures such as internet restrictions and detentions of lawyers.

"Chinese citizens have never before enjoyed as ample economic, social, cultural, as well as civil and political rights, as they do today," the State Council, China's cabinet, said in an annual white paper.

The paper heralded a new era where greater legal protection ensures human rights in China, citing as evidence the ruling Communist Party's recent establishment of a central leadership group to guide legal reform.

China rejects criticisms of its human rights record, saying that the critics place too much emphasis on political and civil rights, without recognizing the social and economic freedoms being provided to its citizens.

Diplomats from liberal democracies say that the Chinese definition is overly broad and ignores aspects like free speech that are essential to the accepted definition of human rights used by the United Nations.

China considers its human rights successes to include, for example, using law to control infringement on the health and property rights of its citizens by closing down polluting companies, according to the report.

Controversial legislation on spying, counter-espionage and internet security, as well as others in a series of new laws to bolster China's national security, are also cited as helping to protect citizen's security and property.

The paper further says that China is actively working to promote human rights overseas and to build a international legal system to protect them.

Up to August 2017, 36,000 Chinese military peacekeepers have been sent abroad to take part in UN peacekeeping operations and now have a standing force of 8,000 troops, the paper said.</s>The Human Rights Council this morning (March 19, 2018) adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Benin, Pakistan and Zambia.

Eloi Laourou, Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that Benin was doing all it could to implement the recommendations, including the abolition of the death penalty, ratification of international human rights instruments and treaties, modernizing the prison administration and good governance. Efforts toward meeting the 2030 Agenda objectives continued, particularly in the areas of education, access to water and energy, and food safety. The country needed capacity building to assist victims of trafficking, set up a human rights database, and conduct education in human rights areas.

In the ensuing discussion, speakers commended Benin for its strategies aimed at the promulgation of human rights in recent years, notably the adoption of an act on the rights of persons with disabilities, and of the draft Criminal Code which would more effectively tackle child labour. They reminded that Benin faced a lack of resources for implementing previous Universal Periodic Review recommendations. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and the so-called “witch children” continued to be prevalent and go unpunished. The country needed to strengthen capacities to combat violence against women and girls, and children.

Speaking were Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, United Nations Population Fund, Venezuela, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China, Republic of the Congo and Cuba.

Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations: World Organisation Against Torture, (in a joint statement with Franciscans International and International Catholic Child Bureau); International Volunteerism Organization for Women, Education and Development VIDES, (in a joint statement with Franciscans International; Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice delle Salesiane di Don Bosco and International Catholic Child Bureau), Action Canada for Population and Development, Franciscans International, (in a joint statement with International Catholic Child Bureau), Amnesty International, Rencontre Africaine pour la defénse des droits de l’homme, and International Catholic Child Bureau, (in a joint statement with International Movement of Apostolate in the Independent Social Milieus).

The President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 198 recommendations received, Benin accepted 191 and noted seven. The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Benin.

Farukh Amil, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, acknowledged the importance of the Universal Periodic Review for its transparency and the level playing field it offered to all States. The Council had to continue to support and strengthen that mechanism, in line with its agreed rules and procedures. Democracy, the rule of law, and protecting human rights were cherished ideals for the people of Pakistan. The democratic Pakistan of today was marching toward these ideals with an elected and sovereign parliament, an independent judiciary, a free media, and a vibrant civil society.

In the discussion, speakers commended the commitment of Pakistan to promote and protect human rights, albeit constant threats to the country’s security and social fabric. They noted the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights, provincial human rights departments, human rights committees at the district levels, and the launch of the national Action Plan for Human Rights. However, speakers remained concerned about the use of the death penalty, reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, intimidation of journalists, and limitations on freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Speaking were Ghana, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Philippines, China, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, and the United Nations Population Fund.

Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations: British Humanist Association, European Centre for Law and Justice, Article 19, Action Canada for Population and Development (in a joint statement with the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women ARROW), International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Amnesty International, International Commission of Jurists, and World Environment and Resources Council.

The Vice President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 289 recommendations received, Pakistan accepted 168 and noted 121. The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Pakistan.

Margaret Mary Lungu Kaemba, Deputy Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, stated that the Universal Periodic Review was a platform which provided an opportunity for all Member States to declare what actions they had taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. With respect to abolition of the death penalty, the Constitution required that such amendments be subjected to a referendum. Despite having retained the death penalty in its statute books, Zambia was a de facto abolitionist country as the last executions had been carried out in 1997.

The Human Rights Commission of Zambia also spoke.

In the discussion, speakers recommended that Zambia expedite the process of the enactment of the Children’s Act, and requested the Government to finalize and present the Child Code Bill in Parliament in order to harmonize various pieces of legislation. They also asked Zambia to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 years, and to combat child poverty. While Zambia had committed to curbing the high rates of maternal mortality, its acceptance of the recommendation to limit abortion was in contravention with its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Maputo Protocol.

Speaking were Algeria, Angola, Burundi, China, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Honduras, Kenya, Lesotho, Libya, and Madagascar.

Also taking the floor were the following non-governmental organizations: International Save the Children Alliance, Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, Action Canada for Population and Development, Franciscans International, Associazione Comunita Papa Giovanni XXIII, Amnesty International, CIVICUS-World Alliance for Citizen Participation, and Rencontre Africaine pour la défense des droits de l'homme.

The Vice President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 203 recommendations received, Zambia accepted 183, partially accepted one recommendation, and noted 19. The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Zambia.

The Council will next consider the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Japan, Ukraine and Sri Lanka.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Benin

ELOI LAOUROU, Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations Office at Geneva , said that Benin remained committed to the promotion of human rights and the creation of an environment where human rights would be respected. The Ministry of Justice in particular underscored both the achievements and difficulties conducted during the previous period. During the interactive dialogue, 198 recommendations were made, out of which 191 were accepted and seven were noted. Since then, Benin had been doing all it could to implement the recommendations, including the abolition of the death penalty, the ratification of international human rights instruments and treaties, modernizing the prison administration, and ensuring good governance. The Council of Ministers had adopted a decree that changed the death penalty for 14 prisoners to life imprisonment, thus making Benin an abolitionist country. The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances had been ratified. The process for setting up a prison agency was underway. Initiatives to combat corruption were progressing. Efforts towards meeting the 2030 Agenda objectives continued, particularly in areas of education, access to water and energy, and food safety. The Council’s members were thanked for their support and the High Commissioner and partners were asked to provide technical and financial support to assist in implementing actions and programmes. Activities included devising a national human rights action plan, and supporting prison system reforms, including the building of prisons. Capacity building was needed for victims of trafficking, setting up a human rights database, and conducting education in human rights areas.

commended Benin for its strategies aimed at the promulgation of human rights in recent years, notably the adoption of an act on the rights of persons with disabilities, and the draft Criminal Code which would more effectively tackle child labour.

welcomed Benin’s continued work on the protection of children’s rights, especially the adoption of a Children’s Code in 2015 that would raise the status of children and afford them protection in all areas. South Africa also took positive note of Benin’s adoption of the Information and Communication Code.

commended the commitment of Benin to the Universal Periodic Review and its positive response to the recommendations, especially with respect to continued efforts to raise awareness on birth registration.

took positive note of Benin’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the adoption of a national policy for child protection. Togo also welcomed the will of the authorities to adopt almost all of the received recommendations.

noted that Benin’s acceptance of the majority of the recommendations showed its commitment to strengthen human rights. Tunisia welcomed the creation of an independent human rights commission.

said Benin faced a lack of resources for implementing previous Universal Periodic Review recommendations. Harmful practices such as female genital mutilation continued to be prevalent and go unpunished. The Fund would help strengthen capacities to combat violence against women and girls.

noted that Benin had openly cooperated with the Universal Periodic Review and engaged in productive dialogue. Benin had accepted the overwhelming majority of recommendations received and the Human Rights Council must recognize the State’s efforts to promote and protect human rights.

hailed efforts in Benin to strengthen its national legal framework and create national human rights institutes to help protect women and combat corruption.

welcomed Benin’s efforts to promote and protect human rights, particularly its close relationship with international human rights mechanisms. Angola noted that Benin was implementing supplementary measures to combat child labour.

thanked Benin for accepting the majority of recommendations received. Benin was taking positive measures to combat corruption and improve the protection of children. Benin worked positively with international human rights mechanisms and was implementing projects to protect women and girls.

appreciated the constructive engagement of the Government of Benin in the dialogue and thanked it for accepting China’s recommendations. It appreciated ongoing efforts in Benin to promote health and medical care as well as food security.

wished a warm welcome to Benin, and commended its acceptance of almost all the recommendations made to it. In particular, it thanked Benin for accepting the Congolese recommendations for development plans in order to improve the living conditions of the population.

said 191 of 198 recommendations had been accepted by Benin and this was commendable. Among the accepted recommendations, two were made by Cuba, including on human rights training and the improvement of the living conditions of the population.

, in a joint statement with , saluted the engagement of Benin, and noted that of the 199 recommendations, seven had been noted, including that by Honduras on preventing the deaths of so-called “witch children.” At the same time, recommendations by the Republic Korea and Switzerland on the same issue had been accepted.

, in a joint statement with Franciscans and , commended the acceptance of the recommendation concerning the adoption of the application of the Children’s Code and a new Penal Code. It called upon the Government to proceed to implement these recommendations in the briefest delays.

said article 36 of the Constitution of Benin guaranteed the right to respect and non-discrimination, but high levels of violence and discrimination were prevalent. This was a consequence of the fact that the patriarchal society was not confronted nor addressed.

, in a joint statement with , deplored the fact that Benin had only taken note of the recommendation concerning measures to prevent infanticide of the so-called witch children. The organization called on the Government to accelerate the adoption of the draft Criminal Code with respect to that issue.

welcomed the imminent establishment of a human rights commission in Benin, and commended the Government’s decision to commute the death sentence for 14 men. However, it called on Benin to guarantee the freedom of expression, and cease arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters.

voiced concern about shrinking space for civil society, threats against the effective exercise of the right to strike, prison overcrowding, systematic use of detention, the absence of information about economic rights, and crimes against the so-called “witch children” in Benin.

, in a joint statement with International Movement of Apostolate in the Independent Social Milieus , drew attention to the problem of murder of the so-called “witch children” in Benin, calling on the Government to take concrete measures and without delay to implement the 2015 Code of Children. It also called on the Government to take stock of the previously implemented recommendations.

The President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 198 recommendations received, Benin supported 191 and noted 7.

ELOI LAOUROU, Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations Office at Geneva , said such dialogues helped States move forward as they pursued policies to promote and protect human rights. The number of supported recommendations showed the Government’s commitment to issues of human rights and governance. Some recommendations were only noted as Benin assessed certain institutional activities. Still, Benin would work to integrate reform efforts in order to address those recommendations. The State did not have the information at its disposal to properly address issues arising from children being accused of witchcraft. The Government was working with religious institutions, local authorities, and women’s organizations to raise awareness of such abuses against children. The Government continued to implement major educational reform programmes and relied on support from the international community to achieve its goals.

The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Benin.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan

FARUKH AMIL, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva , said Pakistan acknowledged the importance of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism for its transparency and the level playing field it offered to all States. The mechanism positively contributed toward improving human rights on the ground. The Council must continue to support and strengthen this mechanism, in line with its agreed rules and procedures. The people of Pakistan were committed to democratic ideals. Pakistan was a country born out of a democratic choice exercised in 1946 by 250 million Muslims of the Indo-Pak Subcontinent. Democracy, rule of law, and protecting human rights were cherished ideals for the people. The democratic Pakistan of today was marching toward these ideals with an elected and sovereign parliament, an independent judiciary, a free media, and a vibrant civil society. The strength of these institutions had gone a long way in promoting civil liberties, and ensuring fundamental freedoms. They had also helped in steady mainstreaming of human rights in overall policy priorities and national discourse. Out of 289 recommendations, 168 recommendations enjoyed the support of the Government and most were being implemented. Some 117 recommendations had been noted. These had not been rejected, but the due process of consultations had not been completed yet. The remaining four had been rejected for being factually incorrect and politically motivated.

commended the commitment of Pakistan to promote and protect human rights, albeit constant threats to the country’s security and social fabric. It noted the establishment of the Ministry of Human Rights, provincial human rights departments, human rights committees at the district levels, and the launch of the national Action Plan for Human Rights.

remained concerned about the use of the death penalty and it urged Pakistan to reinstate a moratorium on its use as the first step towards its abolition. Greece also reiterated concern about the reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, intimidation of journalists, and limitations on freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

expressed hope that Pakistan would consider the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in order to guarantee gender equality, as well as to consider the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrants and Their Families.

encouraged Pakistan to accomplish the goals to promote the economic and social rights of the people, and to accelerate the efforts towards the full operationalization of the National Commission for Human Rights.

welcomed Pakistan’s spirit of cooperation and transparency during the Universal Periodic Review, and wished it success in the implementation of all the accepted recommendations.

appreciated Pakistan’s acceptance of its recommendation to strengthen the national and provincial commissions on the status of women through increased funding and support. It also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued efforts to mainstream human rights in the overall policy priorities and national discourse.

commended Pakistan for continuously strengthening national human rights mechanisms. China thanked Pakistan for accepting its recommendations and urged the Government to continue assisting low-income citizens.

said it paid close attention to the position of Pakistan in relation to the recommendations in the report. Pakistan was lauded for its continued cooperation with human rights mechanisms. Saudi Arabia welcomed the accepted recommendations and noted that Pakistan was working to promote and protect human rights at all levels.

noted with interest Pakistan’s efforts to improve access to health services. Sierra Leone was disappointed that none of the recommendations that it put forward had been accepted and urged Pakistan to consider acceding to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

noted that recommendations on improving maternal and neo-natal health services had been accepted by Pakistan for implementation. Pakistan was urged to expedite efforts to cooperate with treaty bodies and strengthen human rights institutions at all levels.

commended efforts in Pakistan to promote and protect human rights. Sudan noted with satisfaction that Pakistan had accepted the recommendations it put forth, namely on the mainstreaming of human rights and the promotion of the right to development.

thanked Pakistan for accepting a majority of recommendations. Tunisia welcomed the creation of a national development plan aimed at consolidating the social rights of Pakistanis.

commended the Government of Pakistan on its Universal Periodic Review report. It, however, drew attention to several challenges that remained. These included the harmonization of human rights standards and obligations at the federal and provincial levels, as well as the lack of standardized disaggregated data collection mechanisms on violence against women.

drew the Council’s attention to the repeated recommendations of Member States to the Pakistani Government to abolish the country’s anti-blasphemy laws. The notion of ‘blasphemy’ had been repeatedly criticized as inconsistent with normative human rights standards.

said in Pakistan discrimination against Christians and other minorities was commonplace and the Government had failed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Blasphemy laws were still a major concern, and police torture prevailed and remained unpunished.

said the review came at a time when freedom of expression was highly restricted in Pakistan. Journalists and human rights activists were being tried in courts, including under the Counter-Terrorism Act, and they endured assault, judicial harassment, and attacks which remained unpunished.

in a joint statement with the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) , said it was concerned about the insufficient attention paid to the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people, both in policy and in implementation. Pakistan had one of the highest maternal mortality rates, due to child, early and forced marriages.

said Pakistan’s Government had missed yet another opportunity to show its commitment to human rights, and this was apparent through enforced disappearances, the use of the death penalty, persecution of minorities, and extrajudicial killings. It urged the Government to immediately begin the implementation of the recommendations that it did not accept, including those to abolish the anti-blasphemy laws.

Commission of the Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches expressed concern about discriminatory blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Lynching by mobs raised serious concern about the misuse of the blasphemy laws. The organization called on the Government of Pakistan to repeal all discriminatory legislation, namely blasphemy laws.

regretted that a recommendation to protect online freedom had been merely noted by Pakistan. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act of 2016 empowered telecommunication regulators to arbitrarily filter or censor “objectionable content” which had restricted online expression.

reminded that the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances had more than 700 pending cases from Pakistan, and Pakistan’s State Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances had received reports of hundreds more. No one had ever been held accountable for an enforced disappearance in Pakistan.

regretted that Pakistan had not supported recommendations related to amending its blasphemy laws, which were frequently misused. They blatantly discriminated against minority religions and sects, infringed on freedom of expression and religion, and gave rise to serious fair trial concerns.

noted that the collapse of the criminal justice system, the culture of impunity, and the Government’s refusal and inability to act in accordance with international human rights laws had left millions vulnerable and suffering in Pakistan, particularly in the province of Sindh.

The Vice President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 289 recommendations received, Pakistan accepted 168 and noted 121.

FARUKH AMIL, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva , said as a State party to seven core international and human rights instruments, Pakistan was already fulfilling its duties in the area of human rights. Some of the recommendations were currently being examined, however this process entailed alliance with national laws as well as practical implementation. Pakistan continued to implement and report to the main treaty bodies. The Foreign Minister had identified a series of steps in identifying and consolidating the national human rights institutions and in this respect, the Government had accepted almost all recommendations. A number of recommendations aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the people, and poverty alleviation had been accepted. The Government tackled these issues by improving the right to development, economic progress and anti-poverty measures, including through, inter alia, micro-credit schemes, strengthening the social safety nets on health and education, as well as ending child labour, improving vaccination, and other measures.

Mr. Amil said Pakistan’s progress had been realized despite the challenges of terrorism and extremism. As a result of targeted actions by security forces, all terrorist hideouts had been eliminated and this extraordinary fact had to be recognized. Minorities which were primary targets by these terrorist groups had enormously benefited from these actions. Minorities in Pakistan had the constitutional right to freely profess their religion – a case in point was the Christian Missionary Schools. A five per cent quota was ensured for minorities in employment, and deliberations on a Minority Protection Bill were in the pipeline. Blasphemy laws were instrumental in targeting discrimination issues. The death penalty was still in place due to the democratic will of the people. It was a consequence of the challenges related to terrorism, whereby public pressure to bring perpetrators to justice had pushed the moratorium back. The Government was committed to improving the status of women, who accounted for 25 per cent of all Members of Parliament. The Government was also working on trans-gender rights.

The outcome of the Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan was then adopted.

Consideration of Outcome of Universal Periodic Review of Zambia

MARGARET MARY LUNGU KAEMBA, Deputy Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations Office at Geneva , stated that the Universal Periodic Review was a platform which provided an opportunity for all Member States to declare what actions they had taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to overcome challenges to the enjoyment of human rights. Since its review, the Government of Zambia had examined all the recommendations which had been received and had held consultations with various stakeholders, through the Ministry of Justice. Zambia supported previously noted recommendations, namely those relating to the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as three Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Zambia had noted the recommendations relating to the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.

Consequently, Zambia had accepted 183 recommendations, partially accepted one recommendation, and noted 19 recommendations. The accepted recommendations would form the basis for the preparation of an action plan to be used as a guide for the implementation process. Zambia had also started the process to establish a permanent mechanism which would be responsible for monitoring all recommendations. With respect to the abolition of the death penalty, the Constitution required that such amendments be subjected to a referendum. Despite having retained the death penalty in its statute books, Zambia was a de facto abolitionist country as the last executions had been carried out in 1997. In conclusion, Ms. Kaemba noted that Zambia remained resolute on enhancing human rights for all persons without distinction.

recognized the 78 countries which had made oral and written submissions, non-government organizations which provided parallel reports and the Zambian Government for their commitment to an open and transparent process in reporting to the Council. The Human Rights Commission took the Universal Periodic Review seriously as it provided practical steps towards the promotion of human rights and opportunities for learning from other jurisdictions. It was noted that the Government had accepted 183 recommendations and was expected to ratify a number of Optional Protocols, especially regarding the death penalty as it had accepted a moratorium on the implementation of the sentences. The Commission was optimistic that the Government would continue its ongoing dialogue regarding the expansion of the bill of rights, including the incorporation of economic, social and cultural rights as envisaged in the failed referendum of 2018.

commended Zambia for accepting 183 recommendations, including those of Algeria concerning the granting of necessary means to the national commission on human rights and the protection of human rights and the environment in mining areas.

was pleased that Zambia had accepted favourably recommendations made by States, particularly the one made by Angola on the improvement of healthcare centres and the reduction of mortality rates. Support was expressed to Zambia for continuing its cooperation with the United Nations bodies in fighting poverty, combatting trafficking against persons, and guaranteeing socio-economic conditions.

welcomed that Zambia had accepted recommendations after its active participation in the third Universal Periodic Review cycle, including on the establishment of a mechanism to combat corruption. Measures to combat trafficking and slavery were also welcomed, as well as the establishment of an inter-ministerial steering committee for raising the awareness of the public and for providing assistance to victims of trafficking.

appreciated Zambia’s constructive participation in the Universal Periodic Review and supported its efforts to achieve sustainable development and raise living standards to build a solid foundation for the enjoyment of human rights. Health care improvements, including prevention of HIV/AIDS, should continue.

noted with satisfaction the presentation of the final report of Zambia and its acceptance of the majority of the recommendations, as well as supplementary information provided. Materialization of such recommendations, in addition to existing efforts of the Government, would bring a consolidation of the rule of law.

commended Zambia for not only reviewing the recommendations it had noted, but going further and accepting 183 recommendations. Now it was time to implement these and Cuba knew that the country would do so without hesitation. It wished Zambia success in doing so, and recommended the adoption of the report.

recalled with appreciation the active work of Zambia in the promotion and protection of human rights, which had been crowned with an amended Constitution in 2016. Egypt was glad that the recommendations accepted included those that it had proposed on the advancement of women and improving the situation of persons with disabilities.

thanked Zambia for accepting the recommendations given by many delegations, including by the Ethiopian delegation on the continuation of intensifying Zambia’s effort in combatting human trafficking and to further continue boosting birth registration by existing nation-wide awareness campaigns among Zambian citizens.

commended Zambia for the transparency, cooperation and spirit with which it had worked on the Universal Periodic Review. It also commended the acceptance of Honduras’ recommendation on children and on the sexual and reproductive rights of women. It hoped Zambia would review its decision not to abolish the death penalty.

commended Zambia for accepting many recommendations, including three made by Kenya which called for the increase in funding of the health sector, implementing laws aimed at protecting the right to life of the unborn, and on education reforms to increase the quality of education.

said whilst Zambia had made remarkable progress, it remained cognizant of the challenges which the country was grappling with in the field of human rights. It therefore echoed the call for continued support from development partners and the international community in general.

thanked Zambia for its active participation in the Universal Periodic Review and welcomed the progress made in implementing the recommendations, particularly in the field of women’s rights.

commended Zambia’s actions to guarantee the rule of law and human rights, especially measures to promote women’s rights. Madagascar encouraged Zambia to continue the same dynamic and to maintain the current efforts to protect human rights.

recommended that Zambia expedite the process of the enactment of the Children’s Act, and requested the Government to finalize and present the Child Code Bill in Parliament in order to harmonize various pieces of legislation. It also asked Zambia to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 8 to 12 years, and to combat child poverty.

, in a joint statement, noted that while Zambia had committed to curbing the high rates of maternal mortality, its acceptance of the recommendation to limit abortion was in contravention with its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Maputo Protocol.

, in a joint statement, said that out of the 203 recommendations received, Zambia had noted significantly more recommendations than it had accepted. The social and legal criminalization of gender and sexuality posed a great threat to the lives and wellbeing of women and girls, sex workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons.

said there were governance gaps that had to be filled in Zambia to counter negative socio-economic and environmental impacts of extractive industries. Zambia should adopt specific legislation on development-based displacement.

was concerned about some practical obstacles that prevented the fulfilment of human rights. The Zambian Government was advised to strengthen nutrition education in schools, establish a national schools mapping mechanism for planning renovations and upgrading educational facilities, and carry out awareness-raising programmes for social and labour inclusion of children with disabilities.

welcomed assurances by Zambia that it upheld the principles of the Universal Periodic Review. It was extremely disappointed that Zambia had rejected 111 recommendations, including guaranteeing freedom of assembly, association and expression and abolition of the death penalty. The authorities continued to stifle freedom of the press, targeting journalists and human rights defenders.

said since the last review, Zambia had not implemented three of the four recommendations related to civic space. Restrictions to civic space had not been repealed. In September 2017, several persons had been arrested following a peaceful protest in front of Parliament in protest of government spending.

commended the enactment of the persons with disabilities act, the gender equity and equality act, and the anticorruption mechanisms, as well as the ratification of international agreements. Several challenges remained, including the retention of the death penalty.

MARGARET MARY LUNGU KAEMBA, Deputy Permanent Representative of Zambia to the United Nations Office at Geneva , thanked the participants for the constructive dialogue. She noted that certain issues required urgent attention. These included the rights of children, the rights of women, the abolition of the death penalty, and an expanded bill of rights related to abortion, among other issues. She expressed her gratitude to the Troika for their support. Zambia remained committed to the review process and would continue to implement human rights.

The Vice President of the Human Rights Council informed that out of 203 recommendations received, Zambia accepted 183, partially accepted one recommendation, and noted 19.

The Council then adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Zambia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
Chinese diplomat Chen Cheng repeatedly interrupts and objects to exiled dissident Yang Jianli's testimony to the United Nations Human Rights Council.