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Human rights council should avoid past mistakes: Chinese diplomat

Xinhua, June 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Speaking in a joint statement on behalf of 136 countries, Chinese diplomat Ma Zhaoxu concerned on Monday the rise in double standards and politicization of the Human Rights Council (HRC), whose 32nd session kicked off on Monday.

Compounded by public pressure, naming and shaming and the use of the council to meddle in the internal affairs of sovereign states, Ma warned that such practices not only challenge cooperative efforts but also threaten the interests of affected countries while endangering the HRC's integrity.

"We are deeply worried that if these tendencies continue unchecked, the Human Rights Council may run the risk of repeating the same mistakes and failures of the Commission of Human Rights," said Ma, who is China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

In light of this, the diplomat put forward a number of recommendations in view of putting the Council's modus operandi back on track.

Using the UN Charter as the foundation upon which human rights issues should be based, Ma stressed that it is the primary responsibility of states to protect and promote human rights.

He also reminded that diverse views and opinions may exist because of differences in historical, religious and cultural backgrounds, social systems and levels of development.

"The right of countries to adopt their own paths of human rights protection and promotion in accordance with the principle of national ownership and in line with their specific national and regional conditions and priorities should be respected," Ma explained.

The need for genuine and constructive dialogue and cooperation in the human rights field was also emphasised by Ma, as long as discussions are based on the precept of mutual respect.

The diplomat furthermore highlighted the need for UN human rights mechanisms to carry of their mandates both objectively and impartially and avoid making condescending and unfounded remarks.

Created in 2006, the HRC is an inter-governmental body working to promote and protect human rights around the globe through thematic discussions and structured recommendations.

Held between June 13 and July 1, this month's session marks the 10 year anniversary since the council was formed. Endit