The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that “China can play an important role in multilateral discussions to help bring about meaningful progress” in “human rights issues facing our world”.

In her remarks today (26 May) at the Institute for Human Rights of Guangzhou, Bachelet said that “development is only sustainable if we integrate human rights and environmental protections in development policy and plans with the participation of those affected.”

China’s role here is crucial, she added, “for instance, when it comes to infrastructure-related SDGs, together with development finance institutions.”

Bachelet noted “the important commitment in the Human Rights Action Plan of China, that the government will encourage Chinese businesses to, and I will quote ‘abide by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in their foreign trade and investment, conduct due diligence on human rights, and fulfill their social responsibility to respect and promote human rights.’ End of quote.”

She added that the Chinese Due Diligence Guidelines for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains are explicitly based upon the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and contain robust guidance on risk-based due diligence, building on the strength of international standards.

“These Guidelines offer an excellent model for adaptation in infrastructure sectors,” she stated.

On climate change, Bachelet said that the UN Human Rights Council recently recognized – in its resolution 48/13 - that a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right.

The resolution recognized environmental degradation and climate change as interconnected human rights crises and invites governments to further consider the matter at the UN General Assembly.

Bachelet said, “Over 150 countries already recognize and protect the right to a healthy environment. I hope China will join this group.”