Dui Hua Participates in First UN Universal Periodic Review of China’s Human Rights

Using its special consultative status granted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Dui Hua attended the first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China, which was convened by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 9, 2009. Represented at the sessions by Senior Manager of Research and Hong Kong Operations Joshua Rosenzweig, Dui Hua last year submitted recommendations on China’s criminal justice system in preparation for the UPR, focusing on increasing transparency for access to criminal trials, court verdicts, and criminal statistics.

Several details from the Foundation’s recommendations were cited in a summary of stakeholders’ information on China prepared by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. UPR submissions and reports on China are available online, including the “Draft Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review” for the country that was adopted on February 11.

Established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, UPR is a process that all 192 UN Member States are required to go through every four years. UPR allows a country to present information on its human rights record, discuss its work to fulfill international human rights commitments, and respond to concerns raised by other countries and UPR stakeholders.

Related Links:

• NGO Submission for the Universal Periodic Review of the People’s Republic of China: Promoting Increased Transparency in China’s Criminal Justice System, The Dui Hua Foundation

• Universal Periodic Review, 4th Session, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

• Dui Hua Granted “Special Consultative Status” with the United Nations, February 2005

John Kamm to Discuss US-China Relations at March 6 Program in Hong Kong

Executive Director John Kamm will discuss areas of cooperation and disagreement between the US and China at a luncheon on March 6, 2009, in Hong Kong. While the focus will be on possible changes in American human rights policy—much in the news following US Secretary of State Clinton’s recent visit to Beijing—Kamm will also touch on trade and the economic crisis as well as other issues, including climate change and national security concerns. He will suggest new approaches to discussing human rights with the Chinese government, including juvenile justice, capital punishment and prisoner rights. He will also discuss the possible implications for China’s international image of the 60th Anniversary Special Pardon proposal currently being considered in China.

Sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the event is open to the public and tickets may be purchased online.