China calls for transparency in Pillay’s office fund use

Urges cooperation with member countries in a constructive manner

by Zacki Jabbar-July 1, 2014

China has urged the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to be more transparent with its internal management and fund use, while enhancing its effect. This call has come at a time the UNHRC is making arrangements for a war crimes probe against the Sri Lankan government.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Colombo told The Island that  the recommendation  was one of four made by a  senior diplomat of the Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office in Geneva  recently with a view to improving the work of the OHCHR.

While acknowledging the efforts of the outgoing High Commissioner Navi Pillay over the past six years, the Chinese representative had pointed out that there was room for improvement of the OHCHR’s work since there was a lack of communication and also interference in the affairs of member countries.

The other proposals called for the OHCHR to stick to the objectives and principles of the UN Charter, carry out its work in an objective and just manner, oppose the tendency of politicisation of Human Rights issues, oppose double standards and cooperate with member countries in a constructive manner.

China said that the OHCHR should increase its resources in the fields of social, economic, cultural and development rights and avoid using it in areas which have not gained the consensus of the international community.

China has also requested the OHCHR to use more resources in human rights technical support but such assistance should be provided only with the consent of the receiving country.