Geneva:
China on Friday sought to block a statement from the United Nations Human Rights Council on the death of a dissident who was detained and died after trying to go to the council a decade ago.
Beijing took procedural steps to object to a statement on behalf of dozens of human rights groups paying tribute to Cao Shunli, who was detained while trying to travel to Geneva ahead of a United Nations review of China’s human rights record.
After months of being held without charge, she fell seriously ill and died on March 14, 2014.
An unidentified Chinese human rights defender said: “Cao’s courage inspired human rights defenders around the world, so let her legacy and name resonate in this room until all victims of retaliation are held accountable.”
She spoke on behalf of 37 NGOs, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the International Service for Human Rights, and held a brief moment of silence, which she said was to pay tribute to Cao.
She also urged diplomats present to “emulate the courage of all human rights defenders and victims of retaliation and always stand with them.”
China’s representative, Han Xincheng, then asked to speak, complaining that the NGO spokesperson was using her time to “remain silent and provoke confrontation” and asked the council president to stop intervening.
He was supported by representatives of Cuba, Venezuela and Russia.
North Korean representative and deputy ambassador Peng Guanghyuk also interjected, asking the Security Council president to “ensure that the speaker strictly abides by the rules of procedure, respects the dignity of a sovereign country, and acts in a polite manner.”
‘rest in peace’
The European Union, as well as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, defended the rights of NGOs to be heard.
U.S. representative Caitlin Sandin told the meeting that Human Rights Council members “do not have the authority to determine the content of NGO statements.”
“It is vital to protect freedom of expression in this forum, which includes the right to express oneself through silence,” she said, stressing that the NGO spokesperson did not ask others to join in the moment of silence.
Omar Znibel, president of the Moroccan council, said the rules of procedure needed clarification but ultimately allowed the NGO spokesperson to finish speaking.
she said in Chinese.
“Dear Sister Cao, rest in peace. When night falls, there will be light.” Her words received warm applause.
China’s efforts to block the announcement on Friday mirrored the response a decade ago when another NGO tried to silence Cao at the council, although that disruption lasted more than an hour.
A group of U.N. experts reiterated long-standing demands for Chinese authorities to “investigate the circumstances leading to Cao Shunli’s death fully and impartially and hold those responsible accountable.”
The report also urges Chinese authorities to “freely allow any citizen to have safe access to the United Nations.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
