As a part of the United Nations General Assembly, 47 member countries are elected to seats on the UN Human Rights Council, UNHRC. These UNHRC members are charged with the task of reviewing and reporting to the general assembly their findings on human rights violations for all UN members ever four years. The council also acts as a resource for individuals and organizations to report human rights violations.
China, a country known for it’s human right violations, was elected to a seat on the Human Rights Council. This comes as the UN continues to report on wide spread violations in China. As acting assistant secretary in the U.S. State Department's bureau of democracy, human rights and labor, Uzra Zeya, stated, “We're concerned that China suppresses freedoms of assembly, association, religion and expression..., harasses, detains and punishes activists..., targets rights defenders' family members and friends and implements policies that undermine the human rights of ethnic minorities.” This is in direct conflict with the UN’s own resolution which states, “members elected to the Council shall uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.” In 2009, the UNHRC made similar observations about violations in China and China rejected almost all of the recommendations made by the council. While many countries, like the United States, have criticized China, they have found support from countries including Turkey, Somalia, Pakistan and Egypt. This is also not the first time that a rights violator served on the Human Rights Council, Pakistan, Venezuela and Kazakhstan all of whom are known for committing human right violations have held seats on the council.
Should China hold a seat on the Human Rights Council?
Does having known human rights violators on the council matter?
Will this limit the effectiveness/ credibility of the UNHRC?
Sources:
I think giving China a seat in the Human Rights Council is a proactive move towards ending human rights violations, especially in China. This way the council can slap China on the wrist with sanctions if they disobey. China will also be more aware of its wrong doings as they will be watched more closely now that they are on the Human Rights Council. I'm sure the Council has plenty to talk about with China's past human rights violations. Hopefully China will have learned their lesson…Commi bastards
ReplyDeleteTo continue with Dylan's eloquent argument, I do believe that adding China to the UNHRC could benefit the nation as a whole. Since the council acts as a resource to report human rights violations, it will ensure that China does abide by the rules as well. Furthermore, they will be aware of the rules that are set. I think that they will reduce their HR violations as they become more of an international actor for the UNHRC. Other states, such as Russia, Cuba, and Saudi Arabia, have also been admitted. These states have all had histories of severe domestic HR violations. Adding them to this board will encourage the awareness and policy implementation for them.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that China is a flagrant abuser of the western concept of human rights is by no means grounds to exclude China from the HR council. Frankly, the US has sat on the council before and while we often respect the human rights of our citizens (but sometimes don't!), we often commit grave violations against the human rights of noncitizens both at home and abroad. Excluding China from the HR council would only serve to further the aloofness with which Chinese leaders choose to interact with the rest of the world. Furthermore, if the aim is to try to nudge China towards adopting our western conception of inalienable human rights, then our best bet would be to intertwine our western culture and values with China's; for instance, by co-opting the nation into our international institutions designed according to our interests and values-- such as the UN and its "human rights" council.
ReplyDeleteWhit makes a some fine points regarding the need to incorporate China into the UNHRC rather than ostracizing them from the West and writing them off as violators of human rights with no hope for reform. I think that China's disregard for human rights and the perceived lack of freedom in the country has been and will remain a major hindrance to Chinese abilities to expand influence and credibility throughout the world. Furthermore, I agree with Rebecca who says that by adding China to the council, more international attention will be given to their own HR violations and this may in turn bring about positive changes in 中国 (China).
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting question. Great post! I think that putting China on the council was a strategic move to increase international pressure for them to address their human rights violations. I do not think that it will reduce the credibility of the UNHRC for this reason.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Dylan as well. While China may have, in the past, been responsible for many human rights violations, I also believe that as they have begun to enter the developing world and gain more power, they are beginning to learn the importance of respecting human rights. I also agree that it is most likely a strategic move by the United States, and other nations, to keep China out of trouble (as they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer). Hopefully with China on the counsel, they will not only be more aware of the rules and restrictions surrounding human rights, they may also be extra careful just because of the pressure other countries put on them, through watchful eyes.
ReplyDeleteI believe giving a seat China in the Human Rights Council is a great opportunity to keep China in check. Also they might learn a thing or two about humanitarian efforts and properly learn how to treat their citizens correctly and fairly. China needs to learn how to properly communicate with other countries, and by joining the Human Rights Council it might open a further dialogue between China and other countries.
ReplyDeleteI mean it is pretty contradicting that the UN states that members should uphold the highest standards in promoting human rights, and then electing China to have a seat. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that China shouldn’t hold a seat. Hopefully this election is a progression to a better future for the human rights aspect of China. Perhaps the UN has the intention to give China a better influence? Of course it matters, however, if human rights violators are on the council or not. I don’t believe overall it will limit the effectiveness of the UNHRC, but perhaps the credibility. If they keep allowing human rights violators in, integrity of the program will diminish. Possibly now there may be new intentions.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I don't see why the UN would even allow China to be elected on a seat in the Human Rights council. That's like allowing a KKK member to join the NAACP. If they can't uphold to the rules in which their council abides by why should they be allowed to have a seat? This absolutely limits the credibility and effectiveness of the UNHRC. Would a person who abuses their child give valuable insight and ideas in a committee for the Child Protection Agency? It's contradictory and is an awfully stupid decision by the UNHRC in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI believe China should be able to hold a seat on the UN Human Rights Council for a number of reasons. Primarily, China should not be excluded from the UNHRC due to their human rights violations because countries like Pakistan Venezuela and Kazakhstan have held seats before-while also being known for human rights violations. It would be unfair for China to be excluded as no precedent was set to disallow entrance by countries with human rights violations. Secondly, I believe that once China attains a seat on the council there will be more pressure put on China to better their human rights record, from the “status” gained by being on the council and by the other council members themselves.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to decide whether China should be given a seat. Given their denial of social rights to Chinese people, they don't seem to be fitting for a human rights council. They shouldn't be allowed to judge other states on the existence of human rights when their own restrictions of human rights aren't up to par. On the other hand, giving China a seat could have its benefits. If China is surrounded by strong supporters of complete human rights, they may undergo changes due to the pressure of other members in the council. In this case it would prove to be a good idea to let China have a seat. I'm sure studying how Venezuela, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan were affected by membership in the council could provide some implication as to what to expect if China were given a seat. My opinion is that China would begin to grant its people more human rights. They have shown recent trends of becoming more and more democratic.
ReplyDeleteAgreeing with some of the people above me, this may be a way to convince China to work on limiting human rights violations. Because other violators of human rights such as Pakistan, Venezuela and Kazakhstan have held positions, it could appear unfair to China if they were denied a position and could spark some sort of unnecessary tension or conflict. On the other hand, a country that constantly violates its own human rights shouldn't be making decisions about other countries' human rights practices. How did having a position on the council influence Pakistan, Venezuela and Kazakhstan? As an quickly emerging regional hegemon, China might feel the international pressure to work on their human rights violations. This position may be a great opportunity for such progress to take place.
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