The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a joint resolution by China and relevant countries calling for the promotion and protection of economic, social and cultural rights

　　China News Agency, Geneva, April 1. On April 1, the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights and eliminating inequalities jointly submitted by China, Pakistan, Egypt, South Africa and Bolivia. 66 countries participated in the joint proposal.

　　The resolution expresses grave concern over the setbacks in global development, increased poverty, and rising inequality within and between existing countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic; calls on countries to maximize the use of available resources to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights (via Social and cultural rights), invest in public health, education, social security, food and other fields to avoid increasing the economic burden of vulnerable groups.

　　The resolution calls on all parties to strengthen international solidarity, put people at the center, take inclusive measures to deal with the epidemic and promote post-epidemic recovery, and ensure fair access to vaccines and medicines; encourage international financial institutions to refrain from austerity policies that may hinder economic, social and cultural rights, and Provide concessional loans, assistance and support to ESC rights projects; call on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to strengthen its work on ESC rights and provide effective assistance to countries.

The resolution also welcomes development initiatives that contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

　　When introducing the draft resolution on behalf of the sponsors, Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations in Geneva, said that the COVID-19 epidemic has brought unprecedented challenges to the economic and social development of all countries, especially developing countries, which highlights the importance of multilateral human rights mechanisms to strengthen the work of economic, social and cultural rights. , the international community should increase investment in economic, social and cultural rights.

The UN Human Rights Council should listen to the voices of all countries, especially developing countries, respond to the expectations of the people of all countries, especially the vulnerable groups, and help them better enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights and eliminate inequality.

　　Pakistan, Cuba, Venezuela, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bolivia and other countries said in their speeches that the UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution in a timely manner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, with severe negative impacts on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, particularly in developing and least developed countries.

The international community should strengthen solidarity and cooperation to jointly promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights and eliminate inequality.

The UN Human Rights Council should take strong action in this regard, and OHCHR should strengthen its capacity to support countries in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights.

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