China (MNN/CAA) ― The United Nations review on China's human rights record was less than satisfactory for many.
The world's most populous nation appeared Monday before the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review panel.
Canada, India and Nigeria sat the panel to hear 46 complainants on violations plus Beijing's defense of its policies. The list of documented rights violations ranged from torture, to censorship, to discrimination, to human trafficking in women and children.
The Human Rights Council launched periodic human rights reviews in 2007 and are meant to ensure all UN members are answerable for human rights violations in their territory. Under the Universal Periodic Review system (UPR), all UN member states have their record examined every four years.
It seemed to be an ideal time to call China to accountability on the numerous reports of torture, arrests, and general harassment against Christians.
However, Bob Fu with China Aid Association reports, "China received even higher marks, and it sent a chilling signal to freedom fighters and to the Chinese vulnerable groups that the only thing [the] American government cares [about] is money, trade and finance."
China Aid learned that Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) openly criticized the Obama Administration for its silence during the UN review.
In addition, speaking on the floor, Rep. Wolf sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voicing his disappointment. (See link below.) Here are Rep. Wolf's prepared remarks for the House titled "U.S. Delegation Silent at U.N. Review of Human Rights Abusers:"
"The United Nations Human Rights Council is now conducting reviews of the human rights records of 16 countries--among which are China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and Russia.
"While the United States is not a member of the Human Rights Council, every member of the U.N. has an opportunity to pose questions and raise concerns about the human rights record of the country being reviewed.
"I was shocked and disappointed to learn that for the last week, the U.S. delegation has been silent. How can America say nothing about four of the worst offenders of human rights and religious freedom in the world?
"China has been designated by the State Department's annual Religious Freedom report as a country of particular concern every year since 1999. And the U.S. delegation has remained silent.
"Saudi Arabia, too, has received this designation for the past four years. And the U.S. delegation has remained silent.
"The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom placed Cuba on their watch list in 2008. And the U.S. delegation has remained silent.
"This administration made a pledge to place human rights at the top of its agenda. The administration is off to the wrong start on making human rights a priority."
China's Foreign Ministry promised further efforts to promote human rights protection, but empty promises on improving freedoms won't fool believers into thinking things will be different.
Fu also notes, "This won't have a great impact on evangelism. There will be more persecution because the Chinese government is encouraged by the silence of free countries, and the Chinese government will take that as a 'pass.'"
Fu expects revival and even more outreach, based on the resolve of one house church member. Rather than be discouraged, she told him, "I'm determined to see freedom to be realized in China, even when others are keeping quiet. I think this is the message that Chinese house Christians are willing to share."
You can help. Click here for details.
