The Guardian 15 March, 2006
China lashes US over human rights
Every year the US issues a human rights report which criticises many other countries over their alleged human rights record but never says a single word of criticism of the US.
And each year China responds with an assessment of human rights in the US. This year its report is divided into seven parts: on life and security of person, on infringements upon human rights by law enforcement and judicial organs, on political rights and freedom, on economic, social and cultural rights, on racial discrimination, on rights of women and children and on the United States’ violation of human rights in other countries.
It denounces the US for rampant violence and widespread discrimination against minorities, especially blacks.
It criticises American troops over their treatment of prisoners in Iraq and the detention camp at Guantánamo Bay.
The Chinese report notes "increased harassment, detention, and imprisonment" of people seen as threats to the government. It also mentions tighter media controls, censorship of online content, phone tapping and illegal electronic surveillance of US citizens.
The United States is the world’s richest country, however, it maintains the highest poverty rate among developed countries.
According to The State of Black America 2005, the income level of African American families is only one-tenth of that of white families, and the welfare enjoyed by black Americans is only three-fourth of their white counterparts.
The United States does not have a good record in safeguarding rights of women and children, says the document, citing statistics from official US sources.
"Pursuing unilateralism on the international arena, the US Government grossly violates the sovereignty and human rights of other countries in contempt of universally-recognised international norms", the report notes.
The US Government frequently commits wanton slaughters of innocents in its war efforts and military operations in other countries, it says.
"We urge the US Government to look squarely at its own human rights problems, reflect what it has done in the human rights field and take concrete measures to improve its own human rights status", the Chinese report says.
"The US Government should stop provoking international confrontation on the issue of human rights, and make a fresh start to contribute more to international human rights cooperation and to the healthy development of international human rights cause", the report concludes.