China presented its Universal Periodic Review ( UPR) to the UN Human Rights Council last week and its growing restrictions on freedom of expression were highlighted by NGOs who monitor the human rights situation there.
The international community is facing the very real possibility that the next President of the United States may work to actively undermine the United Nations multilateral system and key bodies within that system such as the UN Human Rights Council,
If US leadership on issues of democracy and human rights is significantly weakened over the coming years, the slow but positive improvements in human rights which are evident in many countries around the world thanks to the work of the UN HR Council and of NGOs, will be largely reversed.
Freedom of expression is essential to a healthy democratic society, as are many of the other civil and political rights which are strengthened and advanced because of the work of the UN Human Rights Council and of progressive countries around the world.
Under a new global order in which US leadership is in decline, and the leadership of other major non- democracies such as Chima becomes dominant, all free societies stand to lose.
In this important year of elections, voters should reflect on the significant losses that free societies everywhere may experience in the near future if those elections empower certain candidates and political movements.
2024 is a very significant year in electoral terms. Let’s encourage anyone we know who will be voting in key elections this year to reflect carefully on the likely consequences of their vote. Our future lies in all of our hands - let’s hope those voting over the coming months exercise theirvotes thoughtfully and responsibly!
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It was a privilege to address the UN Human Rights Council during China's UPR last week and to reiterate PEN International’s grave concerns over the country's worsening environment for freedom of expression.