UNHCHR expresses concern over rights violation by China

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the reports of alleged human rights violations by China and said that the office would like to embark on a genuine working relationship with Beijing in a constructive and committed manner.

The remarks were made during the Human Rights Council's thirty-third regular session today, the statement by the UNHCHR said.

"The High Commissioner remained deeply concerned over reports of continued harassment of human rights lawyers, human rights defenders and their family members, as well as allegations of discrimination, torture and ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and deaths in custody of members of ethnic and religious communities, " the statement by the UNHCHR said.

The statement said that the office would like to embark on a genuine working relationship with China in a constructive and committed manner.

It was also pointed out in the statement that discussions with China over the past 11 years regarding an official mission by successive High Commissioners had so far failed to produce an actual commitment to move ahead with a visit.

Amid criticism over its human rights record, Beijing had yesterday announced reforms in laws protecting human rights as well as outlined measures to improve the conditions of prisons and detention centres.