Countries call for greater importance attached to economic, social, cultural rights

GENEVA -- China and like-minded countries on Friday highlighted the importance of economic, social and cultural 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 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. He stressed that 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. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Friday released his report on ESC rights and COVID-19 recovery at the Council, stressing that without ESC rights, people cannot fully participate in civil and political life.