The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recently issued its Universal Periodic Review on China, a review which all members are expected to undergo every four years. In such reviews, UN members are invited to put forward their views on possible reforms for the country under scrutiny. However, the reactions from both China and other countries suggest that this review may not have achieved a great deal. After receiving China’s response, the UNHRC declared that they “do not have the support of China”.

The main thrust of the suggestions concerned the death penalty. There were calls from both Western states and some Latin-American countries (such as Brazil and Mexico) for capital punishment to be abolished, or the process to be opened up. China’s response stated that they were already sparing in their use of the death penalty, and that any move for abolition was impossible “in current circumstances”, although no further details were given. China’s response was supported by Egypt. However, some hope for reform remains, as the Chinese authorities are considering proposals to reduce the number of crimes potentially punishable by the death penalty.

Other grounds for concern included allegations of child labour, political torture and ‘black jails’, which were dismissed by the Chinese government. Suggestions concerning increasing the freedom of lawyers, increasing the rights of ethnic minorities, decreasing enforced abductions and decreasing state-sanctioned torture were also rejected.

One objection made by China (and supported by states including Pakistan) was that the objections raised reflected the political agendas of Western states. Pakistan stated that the attention focused on the treatment of Tibetans was biased in this manner, despite there being genuine human rights violations.

One notable absence from these discussions was the United States, although it has also been involved in pertinent talks with both the UNHRC and China. The new Obama administration is holding back from rejoining the UNHRC following the minimal participation of the Bush administration. However, Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has stated that human rights are important to the new administration. The main area of US concern is that the UNHRC has failed to correct the problems inherent in its predecessor – the United Nations Human Rights Commission. These included accusations of bias, political agendas and domination by certain states; accusations made by human rights groups as well as states. Until it is satisfied that it can work well with the council, the US is likely to hold back from re-joining.

The US and China have also been in negotiations that have touched on the topic of human rights. Any accord reached between the two on this topic seems likely to seriously undermine the authority of the UN in this field, since China’s rejection of UN suggestions and the US’ policy of holding back from membership.