STORY: Countries call for greater importance attached to economic, social, cultural rights
DATELINE: Sept 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:35
LOCATION: GENEVA, Switzerland
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Palace of Nations
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): CHEN XU, Head of Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva

STORYLINE:

China and like-minded countries on Friday highlighted the importance of economic, social and cultural rights (ESC rights) at a UN session, saying that the current imbalance between ESC rights and civil and political rights has undermined the promise for a world free from fear and want, which has further exacerbated inequality.

Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations (UN) at Geneva, delivered a joint statement on Friday at the ongoing 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council, on behalf of the core group of the resolution on promoting and protecting ESC rights within the context of addressing inequalities, which consists of Bolivia, Egypt, Pakistan, South Africa and China.

SOUNDBITE (Chinese): CHEN XU, Head of Chinese Mission to UN at Geneva
"The current imbalance between ESC rights and civil and political rights has undermined the promise for a world free from fear and want, which has further exacerbated inequality.
One single human right should not be placed over another; nor should we pursue them in an imbalanced and hierarchical manner. All parties should uphold constructive dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and strive for the promotion of all human rights, including ESC rights, in a balanced way.
The United Nations should, in a solution-oriented manner and with the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR leading by example, redress the historical imbalance that the input in civil and political rights far outweighs that in ESC rights. All states should assume the responsibility.
Thus, the core group will again, present a resolution on ESC rights. We hope to see active participation of all parties to reaffirm their strong commitment to promoting and protecting all human rights, and take the opportunity of the anniversary to resolve differences and find common ground."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Geneva, Switzerland.
(XHTV)