China Backs UN Call for Accountability in Gaza
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Friday adopted a resolution urging accountability for potential violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. The resolution calls for Israel to be held responsible for possible war crimes and crimes against humanity, and urges all nations to cease supplying weapons that could enable further violations.
Out of the 47 member nations in the UNHRC, 28 countries voted in favor, 13 abstained, and six opposed the resolution. China supported the resolution, while the United States and Germany opposed it.
The resolution emphasizes “the need to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to end impunity.” It also expresses “grave concern at reports of serious human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
China Calls for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
China has reiterated its call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on multiple occasions. Chen Xu, the permanent representative of China to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, emphasized China’s position at the UNHRC meeting.
“As the Gaza Strip faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, an immediate ceasefire is the urgent demand of the global community and a fundamental necessity for achieving peace,” Chen said while elaborating on China’s stance on the situation between Palestine and Israel.
Chen underscored that China has always firmly supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and has strongly opposed the forced transfer of the Palestinian people and the occupation of Palestinian territory.
“The two-state solution is the general consensus of the international community and a realistic way to ultimately realize the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel,” Chen stated, urging all countries to make unremitting efforts toward this end.
Emphasis on Human Rights Protection
On February 26, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the high-level segment of the UNHRC via video link, stressing that all parties should prioritize the protection of people’s right to survival and development.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that the world is facing increasing turbulence, with crises and conflicts flaring up, widening the deficit in global human rights governance.
“We should put people first and safeguard their interests, which is the basis and goal of the human rights cause,” Wang said. “People’s right to survival and development should be protected as a priority and pursued with a greater sense of urgency.”
He called on all nations to respect each country’s right to independently choose their paths to human rights development. “Countries should not impose their own values or development models on others, still less create small blocs and align against those with different views,” he added.
Wang emphasized that human rights bodies in the UN should carry out their work in a fair and objective manner, following a non-selective and non-politicized approach. He stressed the importance of placing equal emphasis on all types of human rights, including economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights.
Experts Praise China’s Human Rights Achievements
Experts at an event on the sidelines of the 55th session of the UNHRC applauded China’s continuous improvement in legal protection of human rights, effectively guaranteeing people’s rights to survival and development.
The event, hosted by the Human Rights Research Center of the Northwest University of Political Science and Law (NWUPL), featured scholars from China and abroad who exchanged insights on China’s experiences in human rights protection, including poverty alleviation, desertification control, counter-terrorism, and the rights of people with disabilities in sports.
Fan Jiuli, president of the NWUPL, stated that sharing China’s experience in legal protection of human rights with more countries and regions, especially developing countries, will promote the development of the global human rights cause.
Ma Cheng, executive director of the Human Rights Research Center of the NWUPL, pointed out that from building a comprehensive legal system for poverty alleviation to enacting the Law on the Promotion of Revitalization of Rural Areas, China has continuously provided solid legal protection for poverty reduction and common prosperity.
International scholars highlighted China’s dedication to reducing poverty, advancing economic growth, and implementing legal changes as reflections of the country’s resilience, adaptability, and commitment to enhancing human well-being and dignity.
China’s Role in Global Human Rights Governance
China has been actively participating in global human rights governance, striving to promote the healthy development of the international human rights cause. According to a think tank report released last September, China has become an in-depth participant in international mechanisms, a co-constructor of governance rules, an active advocate of exchanges and cooperation, and an essential promoter of governance change.
For example, China held the Forum on Global Human Rights Governance last June in Beijing, attracting over 300 participants from nearly 100 countries and international organizations, including United Nations agencies.
Reference(s):
UNHRC: Experts applaud China's achievements in human rights protection
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