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STATEMENT BY MR. LIU XINSHENG, ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHINESE DELEGATION

 ON ITEM 4 (REPORT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS)AT THE 56^TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

(March 21, 2000)

 

Mr. Chairman:

 

The Chinese delegation has carefully read the Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights(E/CN.4/2000/20) and would like to make the following comments:

 

The Chinese delegation supports the efforts by Mme. Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights, to promote and protect human rights and appreciates that she has, on different occasions, appealed for cooperation on human rights among countries instead of unnecessary political confrontation. Mme. High Commissioner has attached relative importance to economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development. She has reiterated for several times the determination to strengthen the efforts by the United Nations in this connection. We are of the view that this advocacy conforms to the concerns of the developing countries. If realized, it will be conducive to the build-up of atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation in the field of human rights.

 

We have also noticed with appreciation that Mme. High Commissioner has made useful attempts in advisory service and technical cooperation. With the assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR), eight annual workshops have been organized in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss regional arrangements for cooperation on human rights. The recently concluded 8^th Workshop on Regional Cooperation for the Promotion and Protection of Human rights in the Asia-Pacific Region held in Beijing adopted the conclusion on regional arrangements of human rights in the Asia-Pacific and its Annex. The document was well received by the OHCHR, which deems that the conclusion will guide the activities in the field of human rights during the period of 2000 and 2001 in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

We have noticed that Mme. High Commissioner stated in her Report that racism, racial discrimination and genocide is a serious violation of human rights. Since the UN proclamation of three decades to combat racism and racial discrimination, attention by the international community to this issue has been gradually raised and a series of measures have been adopted. The World Conference against Racial Discrimination is due to be held in South Africa in the year 2001. The OHCHR has organized two expert seminars to this end. Several regional preparatory meetings are also under way. The Chinese government supports these efforts by the international community and will actively participate in it. As part of our contributions to this activity, the Chinese government has recently announced the decision to transfer its unspent portion of contribution to the World Conference on Human Rights to the World Conference against Racial Discrimination. We hope that Mme. High Commissioner could make more efforts to the success of The World Conference against Racial Discrimination.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

Mme. High Commissioner stated for several times in her Report that it should be a matter of utmost priority by the international community to seek prevention of gross violations of human rights and of conflicts in the new millenium. She also put forward some concrete proposals on preventive measures in the field of human rights. We hold that any implementation of preventive measures by the international community should be made after the consent of the states concerned. It should be carried out under the prerequisite of respect for sovereignty of the states concerned. Attention should be focused on providing service and developing cooperation. The activities should never constitute an broadening of the mandate of the OHCHR and the related mechanisms, nor interfere in the internal affairs of relevant countries. When disputes occur, the OHCHR and related mechanisms should fully respect views of the host countries. When the task of reaching understanding has been fulfilled, the mission should be concluded in an appropriate way at its earliest.

 

Mr. Chairman,

 

We believe that the General Assembly Resolution 48/141 has provided basis for the High Commissioner to carry out dialogue and cooperation with countries and play a positive role in the filed of human rights. Essentially speaking, the OHCHR is one part of the United Nations secretariat, whose major function is to provide service to member states and the Commission. The Chinese government supports the High Commissioner in carrying out her mandate in line with the relevant UNGA resolution.

 

The Chinese government has always been positive and sincere in conducting exchanges and cooperation with the OHCHR. Following the visit by Mme. High Commissioner’s visit to China in 1998 and the visit to China by the experts team from the OHCHR in 1999, the Chinese government, in cooperation with the OHCHR this year, has successfully organized the 8^th Workshop on Regional Cooperation for the Promotion and Protection of Human rights in the Asia-Pacific Region from 1 to 3 March in Beijing. Mme. Robinson was once again invited to attend and address the opening ceremony. Relevant departments of the Chinese government frankly and thoroughly exchanged views with her on conducting bilateral cooperation on human rights. Her visit has been a success.

 

Mr. Chairman, China attaches importance to the positive role by the OHCHR in promoting and protecting human rights, and would like to make more efforts to further strengthen exchange and cooperation with Madame High Commissioner, the OHCHR and the United Nations human rights mechanisms.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.