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New Zealand values this opportunity to engage with China on human rights, in addition to the dialogue we enjoy through our regular bilateral exchanges on these topics.
New Zealand recognises the achievements made by China over the last 30 years in drawing hundreds of millions of its citizens out of poverty. In seeking membership of the Human Rights Council China noted that much work remained for it to be done in the field of human rights. While China has in recent years adopted many laws and regulations related to the protection of civil and political rights to address this, effective implementation remains a barrier to achievement of China’s constitutional commitment that “the State respects and safeguards human rights”.
In a number of other countries the establishment of a fully funded and independent national human rights institution has proved helpful. New Zealand recommends that China establish a national human rights institution, in accordance with the Paris Principles, on the mainland and in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Autonomous Regions.
New Zealand notes with concern continuing allegations around the use of forced labour as a corrective measure, torture, detention without trial and ill-treatment of suspects in police custody, harassment of lawyers and human rights defenders, and ongoing restrictions on freedom of religion, information and expression in China. We note that a national human rights institution could assist in addressing these issues. In addition, New Zealand recommends that China engage with the Human Rights Council’s special procedure mandate holders on addressing these human rights challenges.
New Zealand welcomes the apparent drop in the number of executions in China since the return of the right of review to the Supreme People’s Court in January 2007. New Zealand recommends continued reform towards the goal of eventual abolition of the death penalty, including greater transparency around its use. New Zealand further recommends that China conduct a review of its application of the 1984 safeguards, as adopted by ECOSOC 1984/50.
New Zealand notes the report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, whichrefers to human rights concernsin Tibetraised by the Special Rapporteurs of the Council, and by varioustreaty bodies. New Zealand has been a consistent supporter of dialogue to achieve meaningful outcomes that address the interests of all communities in Tibet. New Zealand recommends the resumption of such dialogue.
New Zealand welcomes China’s ongoing rebalancing of effort towards particularly vulnerable groups and acknowledges the ongoing welfare challenges facing China. New Zealand recommends that China adopt further measures to ensure universal access to health and education and other welfare for rural communities, minority regions, disadvantaged families and the internal migrant population.
New Zealand also welcomes the State Council’s November 2008 announcement that China is working on a national action plan on human rights. We recommend that national plan reflects concrete steps towards the ratification of the ICCPR at the earliest possible date.
