Posted on 08/21/2002 3:08:27 PM PDT by GeneD
BEIJING -- UN Human Rights Chief Mary Robinson stressed Tuesday it was "extremely important" that developed countries, not just poorer ones, are condemned if they violate freedoms.
Speaking on her final mission to China, the world's largest developing nation, Robinson defended her practice of criticizing Western countries such as the United States, AFP reported.
"I do believe that it is extremely important the human rights message is conveyed to either developed or developing countries," Robinson told reporters. "I'm aware that there has been resistance in some developed countries in relation to criticisms that have been made."
Robinson noted that when she first took up her post as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights five years ago, she faced strong concerns from developing countries that human rights debates had become mere "Western finger-pointing".
"I think we've dealt with all of those issues," Robinson said.
Because her office addressed developing countries' concerns, more were now willing to embrace human rights issues, she said.
She noted, for example, a UN-China program to increase legal officials' understanding of international standards on human rights.
The scheme is "owned by the Chinese government.
They're very strongly of the view that this program is important for their development," Robinson said.
She was responding to a question on whether her decision not to seek a second term indicated it was not realistic for the UN to criticize both the United States and China.
The former Irish president said she had decided early on not to seek a second term, but was persuaded by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and others to stay an additional year.
Robinson has crossed swords with the United States on several occasions, notably in her outspoken criticism of U.S. treatment of terrorism suspects held without charge at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Oh yes. We have the death penalty. We have gun rights. Worst of all, we have the dread Mother's Day! And anyone who has a problem with that can stick it in their Clinton!
This broad's a loon. Maybe her chinese hosts will keep her.
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