HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WELCOMES CHINA'S SIGNING OF RIGHTS COVENANT

HR/98/72
5 October 1998




The following statement was issued today by High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson:

"China's signature today of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights brings the country a welcome step closer to full integration into the international human rights system.

The signing, which Vice-Premier Qian Qichen assured me in Beijing would occur this month, adds momentum to a growing process of dialogue and cooperation on human rights between China and the United Nations. This process was among the main objectives of my visit to the country last month, and was formally signaled with the conclusion of a Memorandum of Intent on technical cooperation in human rights. During the visit I discussed with President Jiang Zemin and with the Vice-Premier the importance of speedy ratification of the Covenant following signature. Ratification of the treaty and its sister instrument, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, will signify China's international commitment to promote and protect the full range of human rights to all its citizens.

Meanwhile, in a spirit of cooperation, I urge China to take an extra step and apply the standards enshrined in the two Covenants even before ratification, and pledge my own commitment and that of my colleagues in the Office of the High Commissioner to work with the Government to achieve this objective."