CHINA has unique model of human rights in the world which is based on holistic and comprehensive socio-economic prosperity and rule of the law. Evidently, China pursues a people-centred human rights philosophy which puts people’s well-being at the centre of human rights and has embarked on a path of human rights development. It has made historic achievements in the cause of human rights and the people’s sense of gain, happiness and security has been constantly enhanced which is auspicious. It has been carrying forward the common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom for mankind for the last 500 hundreds. It will undoubtedly promote and protect human rights and actively participate in global human rights governance to push for greater development of the global human rights causes.
However, unfortunately some people in the West have been wrongfully accusing China of human rights violations while keeping silent over the situation in Gaza which vividly reflect their doubled standards and chronic interest-centric approach in the world. China is not committing any genocide against any ethnic minorities and the West is incorrectly showcasing China’s fight against terrorism. It does not link terrorism with any particular region, ethnic group or religion which has universal recognition which also shows its openness, transparency, accountability, checks & balances and justice-centred model to protect the best interest of its people.
The West’s allegation of China using counterterrorism measures to carry out so-called genocide in certain regions, including Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is incorrect and untrue because China also follows the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. China and other 13 states are being reviewed during the new session of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) working group from January 22 to February 2. Unfairly, some people from the USA and other western countries keep harping on the idea of genocide happening in Xinjiang but they never provide any real evidence for so many years.
On the other hand, some western countries’ unconventional war of unilateral measures against counties like Syria, Cuba and Venezuela which is prohibited by the UN Charter. Under this weaponization of ideological instrumentalization of human rights, some western people have become blind to facts and figures. In the near past, during the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in October 2023 it adopted with consensus a draft resolution, submitted by China, Bolivia, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria and Venezuela, on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights within the context of addressing inequalities.
It emphasized on the impact of inequalities and discrimination on human rights and underscored the urgent need to eradicate extreme poverty to ensure the enjoyment of human rights and encourages international financial institutions to prioritize social spending and support developing countries. It was co-sponsored by 80 countries in total and adopted without a vote, received widespread support from developing countries, which fully demonstrates that China is playing an increasingly important role in global human rights governance. Over the years, China based on its own human rights practices, has put forward a series of constructive proposals and initiatives, presenting the concerns of the international community and getting widespread recognition.
China has repeatedly pursued the UNHRC to adopt resolutions on promoting of win-win cooperation in the field of human rights and the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights. On its part, China has participated in working group meetings for the formulation of important human rights documents such as a series of treaties regarding forbidding torture and protecting children’s rights and the rights of people with disabilities, making important contributions to their drafting, revision and improvement. It has successively established human rights dialogue and consultation mechanisms with more than 20 countries and regional organizations and held international conferences such as the Beijing Forum on Human Rights and the South-South Human Rights Forum, continuously expanding the circle of friends for international human rights cooperation.
China is also ready to engage in exchanges and dialogue with other countries based on equality and respect, draw on each other’s strengths and work together to achieve the goals set out in the UDHR. The essence of Chinese model of human rights is promoting development through cooperation and human rights through development. This is China’s path to jointly promote the progress of global human rights. In the last ten years, the Chinese BRI has become a highly popular international public good, a global cooperation platform and a path to happiness, aiding partner countries in promoting human rights protection and achieving a better life. It has been fostering economic and social development through collaborative projects and has contributed to ensuring the right to survival worldwide by improving living conditions and healthcare, generating employment and boosting incomes in all the member countries.
Burundi is a prime example where Chinese agricultural technology experts have expanded rice cultivation to ensure ample food for local people. Senegal, a China-financed well-sinking project addresses the water needs of one-seventh of its population rightly project the Chinese commitment to tackling global issues of hunger and inadequate drinking water. The World Bank indicates that by 2030, the BRI is expected to help lift 7.6 million people in partner countries out of extreme poverty and 32 million people out of moderate poverty which is commendable. In summary, the BRI has played multiple roles in the global human rights. It helps member countries eliminate poverty and improve people’s living conditions and provide vital financial support for education so that people have better job prospects.
Various research studies and published reports indicate that China has implemented more than 200 cooperation projects under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and established a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund totaling $4 billion. Moreover, over 100 countries and international organizations have indicated their support for the GDI and nearly 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has also signed memorandums of understanding on cooperation with nearly 20 countries and international organizations in this regard. The right to development is an inalienable and basic human right, calling on all sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation for the advancement of global development and human rights causes and China is the pioneer on this issue. Thus China’s model of human rights is holistic, comprehensive and people’s centric and guarantor of ethnic diversity, minorities protection and last but not the least, stimulator of socio-economic prosperity and development.
—The writer is Executive Director, Centre for South Asia & International Studies, Islamabad, regional expert China, BRI & CPEC & senior analyst, world affairs, Pakistan Observer.
Email: mehmoodulhassankhan@yahoo.com
views expressed are writer’s own.
