UN Watch brought Uyghur American Activist Rushan Abbas to the floor of the U.N. Human Rights Council to discuss U.N. Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan’s improper funding from China.
Full Transcript:
UNHRC President: I would now like to give the floor to Ingenieurs du Monde (for a joint statement with UN Watch).
Rushan Abbas: Mr. President, the code of conduct forbids U.N. experts from accepting any gift or remuneration from any governments for their mandate activities. Resolution 16/21 stresses the need for full transparency in the funding of the special procedures.
We note that Special Rapporteur receiving the highest amount of funds is Ms. Alena Douhan. Over a million dollars in the last three years. Her office received $160,000 from China in 2020, $200,000 in 2021, and another $200,000 in 2023.
For ethics and integrity, appearances matter. Does this Council think it’s right for a rapporteur to receive up to $600,000 from China and then visit that country at Beijing’s request and issue a report that entirely adopts Beijing’s false narrative?
Ms. Douhan’s report shocked the Uyghur human rights community in the world. It ignores crimes against humanity against Uyghurs and it undermines the legitimacy of sanctions to fight state-imposed forced labor and genocide.
In 2021, the UN Board of Auditors expressed concern about agreements between mandate holders and funders. Accordingly, we ask: Will the council publish any agreements between Ms. Douhan’s office and the states donating to her mandate including China?
Will the UN defend its own principles of being impartial, honest, and truthful? I thank you.
UNHRC President: I would like to stress at this point that any attacks against mandate holders cannot be accepted, as I stressed many times since the start of my mandate and as did my predecessors, indeed. Speakers must remain within the rules of the Council and there must be absolute avoidance of any targeting of the mandate holders including by putting forward arguments that have not been verified.
