UCS 28/04/06: Say no to China's membership of UN human rights council |
Say NO to China's membership of the UN Human Rights Council (Please take action as soon as possible; no later than 7 May 2006) In spite of its appalling human rights record China has presented its candidacy to the Council. Free Tibet Campaign believes that electing China as a member of the Human Rights Council would call into question the sincerity of the international community's willingness to depart from past mistakes. It would also indicate dereliction of the duty to protect the most vulnerable and would centre impunity upon, and reward, those governments who are responsible for human rights violations. 1. Write to Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (see sample letter below): Name: Rt Hon Jack Straw MP 2. Write to your MP: [Name of your MP] You can find the name of your MP and send them a free message via www.writetothem.com. (Please send us copies of any replies you receive as this helps us to monitor the situation.) In March the UN decided to establish a new body, the Human Rights Council, to "be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner". The new body comes as part of a wider attempt to introduce reforms into the UN structure, following growing criticism of the organisation's ineffectiveness. The Council will replace the Commission on Human Rights. In recent years the Commission has come under scrutiny from the human rights community for its failure to hold state members such as China accountable for human rights violations. While the Human Rights Council is to take over the Commission's functions, it is expected that its structure, powers and procedures will address the main weaknesses of the Commission. It will be composed of 47 state members elected directly in a secret vote by the UN General Assembly (UNGA). New members will commit themselves to cooperating with the Council and to upholding the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights. In addition, state members will undergo a review during their term of membership and, with a two-thirds majority, the UNGA can suspend the rights and privileges of a member state, that persistently commits gross and systematic human rights violations. The election of the Council takes place on 9 May. The list of candidates includes China, India and the UK. While welcoming the reforms, Free Tibet Campaign believes that the first election will determine the future operation of the Council. A declaration of the EU Presidency stated that it "is the responsibility of all States to elect those candidates that are best qualified to fulfil the mandate of promoting and protecting human rights. It is also the EU's firm view that no state guilty of gross and systematic violations of human rights should serve on the Council." China's poor record on the promotion and protection of human rights in China and in occupied Tibet, its lack of compliance with international human rights mechanisms and disregard for the UN's official recommendations, procedures and requests are well documented. Recent examples include China's persistent refusal to allow independent access to Tibet's 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was abducted by the Chinese authorities at the age of six in 1995. The request for access has been raised by two UN High Commissioners for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Committee on the Rights of the Child. (Please feel free to use the text of this letter, however letters in your own words are even more effective!) On 9 May the UN General Assembly will elect for the first time 47 members to the Human Rights Council. I am writing to urge you to ensure that the UK does not vote for China in this inaugral election, given China's poor human rights record including in occupied Tibet, its lack of compliance with international human rights mechanisms and disregard to UN's official recommendations, procedures and requests. The UN resolution on the establishment of the Council requires that when electing members of the Council, the contribution of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto, be taken into account. A declaration of the EU Presidency stated that it "is the responsibility of all States to elect those candidates that are best qualified to fulfil the mandate of promoting and protecting human rights. It is also the EU's firm view that no state guilty of gross and systematic violations of human rights should serve on the Council." I believe this election will determine the future operation of the Council and thus call for the UK Government to elect a strong UN Human Rights Council committed to effective promotion and protection of human rights. Sincerely, (Signature) ____________________
On 9 May the United Nations General Assembly will elect 47 state members for the newly established UN Human Rights Council. The Council was formed to strengthen the UN's human rights machinery and improve global human rights protection. The UN resolution requires that when electing members of the Council, the contribution of candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights be taken into account.
TAKE ACTION
Address: Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
Fax: 020 7839 2417
Email: jack.straw@fco.gov.uk
Address: House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
BACKGROUND
SAMPLE LETTER TO JACK STRAWDear Rt Hon Jack Straw MP,
(Name) ____________________
(Address) ____________________