Human Rights & China Presented by: Stijn Deklerck (Amnesty International Netherlands) Date: 2021 Chinese Visions - China committed itself to being part of the international human rights system • UN Member, endorsing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights • Ratification of various core UN Treaties - Relatively little human rights critique until 1989 - Developing a Chinese vision on human rights • Ward off international criticism on many human rights violations, develop defense on the 'ideological battlefield' • Promote Chinese vision, reshape international human rights norms and mechanisms How China Is Redefining Human Rights - China has been ramping up a campaign to promote its vision of human rights. - These efforts may seem innocuous, but they pose a serious threat to human rights as we know them. Human Rights vs Relativism - Human Rights • Human rights are inherent to all human beings-this is a clearly defined legal concept recognized by the UN. • China is attempting to redefine human rights as something conditional rather than inalienable and fundamental. • - "Human rights are a historical and developmental concept" Relativism • "Human rights with national conditions" • "Human rights with Chinese characteristics" • "Rights and duties" National vs Sovereignty - National • "Sovereignty" is often asserted by China to ward off international scrutiny and accountability for human rights violations. - • Pitting national sovereignty against human rights is a false contradiction. • "No strings attached" investment Sovereignty • Respect for sovereignty independence and territorial integrity" • States have exercised their sovereignty by agreeing to international human rights obligations. These express the common will of the international community to prevent human rights violations by keeping states' behaviors in check. Multilateral vs Bilateral - - Multilateral • "Mutually-beneficial cooperation" • China often promotes two-way relationships over multilateral ones. Bilateral • "Win-win cooperation" • This shifts the focus from cooperation with universal human rights systems to co-operation between states, asserting national sovereignty, inter-state relationships and giving powerful states a stronger hand in negotiations. Promotion of Chinese Vision Worldwide - UN / UN Human Rights Council ("Mutually Beneficial Cooperation" Resolution), Press-imperium, Control over Education, Instrumentalizing Economic Power, etc. Amnesty International - Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. - Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. - We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.