China & ICC

Independent Films, Politics

The United Nations’s (UN) top human rights official criticized China for failing to arrest Sudan's President Omer Al-Bashir so that he can be brought to trial on war crimes charges.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, told reporters in Geneva that she was "disappointed" that China welcomed Sudanese President during a visit this week rather than arrest him to ensure he stands trial.

China has a duty to enforce warrants by the International Criminal Court (ICC), she said, despite the fact that it's not a member of the Court based in The Hague.

She also urged China to do more to protect human rights around the world and with countries with which Beijing has trade relations.

The High Commissioner welcomed the announcement yesterday by the King of Bahrain that he was setting up a Royal Commission to look into allegations of human rights violations during the events of February and March.

Earlier in the week she announced she was writing to the King to express her concerns at the lengthy sentences handed down a few days ago to Bahraini activists, eight of which were given life sentences.

Reviewing the activities of her office over the past 6 months, she welcomed the increasing interest in human rights following the "Arab spring" but said there was a gap between rhetoric and funding, with her office severely overstretched.

Tags

• china
• Sudan
• Al-Bashir
• UN
• war crimes

Directors:

• Mo Sacirbey (UNTV)

Producers:

• Susan Sacirbey (UNTV)