GSISD organized an International Forum on Human Rights, Capitalism, and Sustainable Development: Global Approaches and Perspectives

ISLAMABAD: Center for BRI & China Studies, Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development (GSISD), a non-profit public policy think tank, organized an international forum on Human Rights, Capitalism, and Sustainable Development: Global Approaches and Perspectives at the 73rd session of the United Nations Committee on Economic and Social Cultural Rights (ESCR). The webinar, held in a hybrid format, aimed to shed light on China’s impressive development and poverty eradication in the region and to highlight alternative perspectives on human rights and development.

Over the past five years, under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has put people’s well-being front and center, followed a new vision of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared development, and taken comprehensive measures to implement the 2030 Agenda according to its national implementation plan that was among the first of the kind in the world. China has also actively participated in international development cooperation to promote global implementation endeavors. Keeping in view China’s global and regional role in harmonious co-existence, the speakers highlighted Chinese perspectives and capitalist driven propaganda against Socialist market economy of China.

The webinar featured renowned speakers, including H.E. Mr. Rosmel Rodriguez from Portugal, H.E. Ms. Maiya Suyunchaliyeva from Kazakhstan, Dr. Claudia Palazzo from Italy, and H.E. Mr. Yunus Ibrahim Hussain from Africa.

H.E. Mr. Rosmel Rodriguez from Portugal (European Union Political Analyst, Ambassador of European Climate Pact, and President of the European Committee of Global Peace and Human Rights) emphasized that the Chinese government is protecting human rights and providing freedom to all minorities. He also debunked Western reports of mosque demolitions in Xinjiang, stating that there are about 24,000 mosques in the region, about one mosque for every 530 Muslims.

He added that China is developing Xinjiang according to international standards and employment has greatly increased, with a focus on labor rights.

Dr. Claudia Palazzo from Italy (an Italian Journalist, Political Analyst on Global Affairs) highlighted the need for a current economic system that respects Mother Nature and basic human rights. H.E. Ms. Maiya Suyunchaliyeva from Kazakhstan (Human Rights Expert- Social Entrepreneur, IVLP USA winner and Phd Scholar) questioned the authenticity of reports presented by various international organizations, stating that most of them are fake and are just meant to damage the businesses of other countries.

H.E. Mr. Yunus Ibrahim Hussain from Africa (Elected Academic Fellow World Academy of Arts and Science, California, The United States of America) spoke against propaganda that dams in Tibet are causing pollution, stating that China has followed international standards, laws and rules. He also emphasized that the Chinese government is protecting human rights conditions, protecting culture and language, and allowing citizens to participate in voting and politics.

The speakers also highlighted China’s contributions to human development and their rights while incorporating global perspectives, including the 73rd session of the United Nations Committee on Economic and Social Cultural Rights (ESCR) held in United Nations HQ, Geneva, Switzerland, this month. They emphasized that the Chinese government is protecting human rights, providing freedom to all minorities, and developing Xinjiang according to international standards. The speakers dismissed Western propaganda and reports of mosque demolitions in Xinjiang as fake and highlighted that Xinjiang is a hub of the One Belt One Road Initiative.

The speakers also pointed out that China has made policies for religious activities and has never stopped anyone from learning Uighur or Xinjiang language. They highlighted China’s development of Tibet in agriculture, education, and the economy and increased employment opportunities due to the Chinese government’s One Belt One Road Initiative. They also dismissed propaganda against China controlling religious syllabus and the claim that dams in Tibet are causing pollution, stating that China has followed international standards, laws, and rules.

Speakers also highlighted, Chinese fight against poverty as scheduled, ending poverty for the 98.99 million rural residents living below the current poverty line, and meeting the targets of SDG 1 ten years ahead of schedule. Building on these achievements, China is prioritizing the development of agriculture and rural areas, and implementing the rural revitalization strategy in a comprehensive manner.

The Speakers also elaborated China’s remarkable achievements in implementing the 2030 Agenda which is attributed to the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, to the advantages of socialism with Chinese characteristics, to China’s comprehensive drive to deepen reforms and expand opening-up, and to the joint efforts of the people of all ethnic groups in China.

 In conclusion, the international forum presented an alternative perspective on human rights and development, emphasizing China’s contributions and dismissing Western propaganda against China. The forum aimed to bring attention to the realities on the ground and to counter the one-sided defaming propaganda by global capitalist-driven organizations like Amnesty International. China stands ready to work with other countries to consolidate political will, put development first, strengthen the means of implementation, take joint actions and address special difficulties of developing countries to leave no one and no country behind.

Dr. Mohammed Shakeel Ahmed from GSISD, delivered the welcome speech, and Maryam Akhtar moderated the event.