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[THREAD] I wrote about China's machinations to block Fiji from the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council. Fiji still seems likely to get it, but it's the latest case of China throwing its weight around at the UN. A Biden-led US looms as adversary https://www.economist.com/china/2020/12/16/sensing-change-in-washington-china-is-mustering-allies-at-the-un
China sees the Human Rights Council as a beachhead in its campaign to redefine global norms. It has secured resolutions weakening the language of human rights, stressing development over individual rights, and “dialogue” between states over holding countries to account for abuses
China also vigorously opposes resolutions against specific states, arguing countries should not interfere in others’ affairs. This "principle" suits China and its like-minded friends. (The 47-member HRC still pushes thru country-specific resolutions over their objections)
The presidency of the Human Rights Council might not seem worth a fight. The members decide on resolutions, not the prez. And they are already cowed by China. No one has tried yet to challenge China at the HRC over the horrific repression of Uyghurs or the crackdown in Hong Kong
But the election of Joe Biden raises the stakes. He is expected to return America to an active role at the council. The US had quit it under Trump in 2018, objecting among other things to the low standards for members, including some of the world's worst abusers of human rights
“The United States is the only country that would try to hold China accountable,” @marc_limon of the Universal Rights Group in Geneva told me. During the Obama administration, he told me, America was the “dominant power” in the council. China will not be happy about a US return
Installing an authoritarian country friendly to China as prez of the Human Rights Council would undermine its legitimacy (as when Libya chaired the predecessor UN Commission on Human Rights, before its dissolution), and make it awkward for Biden to justify a return to the council
The HRC president is important in other ways too. One is choosing special rapporteurs whose autonomy grates on China & others. In June 50+ of them signed a statement calling out abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. China was livid, accusing them of violating the UN charter
The council’s next leader will also play a role in a five-year review of its work by the un General Assembly. This could result in reforms wanted by America, such as setting criteria for membership. Fiji's ambassador in Geneva would be invested in that process. Another might not
Right now the odds favor Fiji to get the HRC presidency. The US would be happy about that, much as other democracies will be happy for a US return. “I think it’s really important that the Americans come back,” one European diplomat told me. “We need all the help that we can get.”
The quotes above are from the cutting room floor. The story has a few details about the complex jockeying, which I chose not to get into in this thread. Thanks to @PhilALynch, @marc_limon & some unnamed diplomats for guiding me through the messy politics. https://www.economist.com/china/2020/12/16/sensing-change-in-washington-china-is-mustering-allies-at-the-un
