CHINA SIGNS UN HUMAN RIGHTS TREATY

BEIJING, Oct 7 (LSN) – Catholic World News reported yesterday that on Monday the Chinese government signed the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a treaty which defines the right of self-determination, prohibits torture, and provides for freedom of movement, religion, expression, and association.  The agreement has yet to be ratified by China’s legislature which has the power to disregard any of the provisions it does not agree with. The communist Chinese government gave no indication of a possible date for ratification. A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Zhu Bangzao, said: “As to the exact date, it depends on the deliberation in the National People’s Congress. It takes time for the ratification of these covenants.”  Human rights groups, however, remain doubtful that the Chinese government will implement the treaty. Sidney Jones of Human Rights Watch said, “Since China is currently in violation of almost every article of the covenant, we hope its decision to sign indicates a change in human rights practices.”