China Defends Human Rights Record at UN Council, Rejects Western Criticism

China pushed back against criticism from several Western nations during the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, urging countries to stop politicizing human rights issues. Li Xiaomei, deputy head of the Chinese delegation, stated that global human rights governance faces mounting challenges and called for greater respect for each country's independently chosen path of rights development. She emphasized that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should play a constructive role in supporting these efforts.

Li highlighted China's recent release of its fifth National Human Rights Action Plan, describing it as a contribution to global human rights progress and stability. She specifically addressed conditions in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Xizang Autonomous Region, asserting they are experiencing prosperity and social stability. Li also stated that lawful rights of residents in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are fully protected and referenced China's Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress as a measure to safeguard equal rights and promote common development among all ethnic groups.

Rejecting what she characterized as unfounded allegations from several Western countries, Li named the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Czech Republic as sources of criticism. She countered that these nations have serious human rights problems they have failed to address. Li called on these countries to cease what she termed the politicization and weaponization of human rights issues and to take concrete action to uphold the credibility of the multilateral human rights system.