MONTREAL - April 18, 2000 - The International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, now known as Rights & Democracy, today deplored the United Nations Commission on Human Rights decision not to consider a resolution criticizing China's poor human rights record.

"I am profoundly dismayed by the failure of the UN human rights system to censure China for its deteriorating record on human rights. Part of the blame for this failure must be placed on democratic governments, including Canada, which did not take a principled position to co-sponsor the resolution introduced by the United States," said Warren Allmand, President of Rights & Democracy.

"In hiding behind secretive, non-accountable "dialogues", Canada and other countries have threatened the viability of the multilateral system for the protection of internationally recognized human rights. The human rights responsibilities of countries are derived directly from the Charter of the United Nations and there can be no excuse for ignoring them."

Rights & Democracy focused on the China resolution in its lobbying efforts during the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in Geneva and hoped that Canada would again co-sponsor the China resolution as it did prior to 1997 when it initiated a bilateral dialogue on human rights with Beijing.

================

Rights & Democracy is a Canadian institution with an international mandate working with citizens and governments in Canada and abroad to promote human rights and democratic development through dialogue, advocacy, capacity building and public education. It focuses on four themes: democratic development, women's rights, indigenous peoples' rights, and globalization and human rights.