|
CHINA. U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF CALLS ON CHINA TO RELEASE DATA ON EXECUTIONS
September 2, 2005: the United Nation's human rights chief, Louise Arbour, has said she is "guardedly optimistic" that China is making progress on human rights.
But she questioned Beijing's widespread use of the death penalty, warning that some of those being executed might be victims of discrimination.
Ms Arbour was speaking at the end of a five day visit to Beijing.
She said she had good and "very frank" conversations on human rights issues with Chinese officials. But she voiced concern over the widespread use of the death penalty.
Ms Arbour said she was particularly concerned about the death penalty being used against ethnic minorities or the mentally ill, and said there needed to be far greater transparency in how it was applied.
During her trip an agreement was signed to bring China closer to ratifying a covenant on civil and political rights. "I'm very energised about the prospect of helping the country face some daunting challenges, and I am guardedly optimistic about the enormous potential for positive change," Ms Arbour told a press conference.
Later she told the BBC: "I think there is no question that there has been an opening, particularly on political and social rights, which is starting, I think, to permeate throughout the country.
"The government has made a very explicit commitment to work seriously towards the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. China has already ratified five of the seven basic international human rights treaties, including the convention against torture, so there are lot of reasons to be optimistic."
Ms Arbour questioned China's belief that each country should choose its own method of protecting human rights. "It is not appropriate to say: 'We are doing this our own way'," Ms Arbour is quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. (Sources: Bbc, 02/09/2005)
|
