China prevents discussion of censure

BEIJING — Introducing a “no-action” motion that passed by a 22-18 vote, China successfully prevented the U.N. Human Rights Commission from discussing a U.S. motion to censure the country because of its human rights record.

Twelve countries abstained, and one was absent during the vote, which came April 18 during the commission’s annual meeting in Geneva.

“Today’s decision represents a story of failure of political will,” said Human Rights Watch representatives Joanna Weschler, The Associated Press reported. “The credibility of the U.N. Commission has been seriously damaged by its unwillingness to censure China or even to discuss its rights performance.”

“We must acknowledge that the situation of human rights in China remains very poor,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Harold Koh. “Its human rights record has not improved and has in fact deteriorated markedly over the last 12 months.”