China and the United States go head to head over human rights abuses

international | anti-war / imperialism | news report Thursday March 09, 2006 10:33 by Seán Ryan

China has launched a scathing reply to the American State Department's yearly report on Human Rights Violations.

China has lashed the American administration, with a scathing report, which outlines American human rights violations, both abroad and domestic. This was in response to the American State Department's annual report on Human Rights abuses. The Americans condemned human rights abuses in more than 190 countries, but failed to mention any of its own numerous violations.

China has corrected all this. Gun violence in the States is discussed (more than 10,000 people die every year in the States from gunshot wounds). Racism is discussed and it is pointed out that black people are more prone to receive harsher sentences for serious crime than white people, especially where execution is concerned. Social equality is also discussed.

China has condemned American foreign policy. It accuses the States of "Pursuing unilateralism on the international arena, the U.S. government grossly violates the sovereignty and human rights of other countries." The report states that, "The U.S. government frequently commits wanton slaughter of innocents in its war efforts and military operations in other countries."

The report also highlights American use of torture, and it accuses America of victimising Muslims, "flaunting the banner of anti-terrorism."

This could turn very nasty. President Hu Jintao is due to visit the States next month.

Here's the American State Department's report that sparked China's vitriolic response: http://usinfo.state.gov/dhr/Archive/2006/Mar/08-930887.html

Here's the response from China: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-03/09/content_42...7.htm