The United Nations is concerned about the situation in China. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights thus called on the Chinese authorities on Monday not to “arbitrarily detain” demonstrators who peacefully protest against health restrictions and for more freedom.
“We call on the authorities to respond to protests in accordance with international human rights laws and standards,” said a spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence, adding, “No one should be arbitrarily detained for peacefully expressing their views.”
The UN calls for “a broad debate within society”
Jeremy Laurence even goes there with his advice vis-à-vis Beijing. According to him, “allowing a broad debate within society – especially with young people – can help shape public policies, ensure that they are better understood and, ultimately, more effective”.
The Chinese authorities did everything on Monday to stem the movement of anger against the restrictions linked to Covid-19 and for more freedoms. By its extent on the territory, the mobilization seems the most important since the pro-democracy rallies of 1989, harshly repressed. It is the culmination of popular discontent that has been simmering for months in China, one of the last countries in the world to apply a strict “zero Covid” policy, with repeated confinements and almost daily PCR tests of the population.
A deadly fire in Urumqi, capital of northwestern Xinjiang province, has sparked anger among many Chinese, with some blaming health restrictions for blocking relief work. The Office of the High Commissioner therefore called for “transparency in addressing public concerns and learning lessons from the tragedy”.
He also recalled that “the restrictions imposed by the authorities must be necessary and proportionate” with regard to the opinions of scientists and the medical profession. “Any restrictive measures must be time-limited, and there must be safeguards and mechanisms for people to raise concerns and seek redress,” Laurence said.