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              China Defends Record Before UN Human Rights Council

   Chinese officials have appeared before a United Nations panel to defend
   their country`s human rights record that many say is stained by a
   worsening crackdown on dissent.
   The Tuesday session in Geneva was the second time Beijing has reported
   to the Human Rights Council, which reviews the rights record of each
   country every four years.
   The Chinese delegation was led by Wu Hailong, who told the council his
   country has largely lived up to the promises it made during its first
   review in 2009, including judicial reforms, a reduction in poverty, and
   improved protections for ethnic minorities.
   Shortly before the hearing Tuesday, a group of activists climbed the
   scaffolding around a U.N. building and unfurled a banner calling for
   the U.N. to stand up for the rights of Tibetans. At least four
   protesters were detained by U.N. security personnel.
   The hearing for China comes amid a series of arrests of Chinese rights
   activists, including some who were trying to participate in the
   government`s report to the so-called Universal Periodic Review.
   In a statement Monday, Human Rights Watch called the recent period "one
   of China`s major crackdowns on activists and free expression."
   Specifically, the New York-based group raised concerns about the forced
   disappearance of Cao Shunli, a prominent activist who was trying to
   convince the government to allow independent civil society groups to
   take part in the U.N. review.
   Cao has not been seen since September 14, when she was interrogated and
   detained at the Beijing airport. She was one of several Chinese
   activists prevented from flying to Geneva for a workshop on
   international human rights.
   Critics have said these and other alleged rights violations mean China
   should not be allowed to serve on the U.N. Human Rights Council.
   Beijing has announced plans to run in a November election to fill one
   of the council`s 47 seats for a three-year period beginning in 2014.
   China, the world`s most populous country, says it is making progress on
   human rights, but that it should not be held to the same standard as
   more developed countries.
   It views criticism of its rights record as inappropriate interference
   in its internal affairs, despite having signed international treaties
   guaranteeing freedom of speech and other fundamental human rights.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/china-defends-record-before-un-human-
   rights-council/1774419.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/china-defends-record-before-un-human-rights-council/1774419.html