Foreign debt expert to visit China to promote human rights

UN expert on foreign debt to visit China to promote human rights in international lending

GENEVA / BEIJING (26 June 2015) – The United Nations Independent Expert on foreign debt, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, will visit China from 29 June to 6 July 2015 to assess how its international lending contributes to the realization of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights in borrowing countries.

“I am visiting China to learn more about the efforts made by the Government and Chinese financial institutions to avoid negative human rights impacts in their international lending, including guidelines that have been developed to ensure respect for human rights, social and environmental standards,” Mr. Bohoslavsky said.

In recent years, China has become one of the major international lenders financing development and infrastructure projects worldwide, and promoting the right to development. It has also become a key player in establishing new multi-lateral development banks, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

China’s own debt sustainability policies and its policies to address international problems relating to foreign debt and illicit financial flows will also be on the International Expert’s human rights agenda.

Mr. Bohoslavsky, who visits the country at the invitation of the Chinese authorities, is expected to meet with senior Government officials and representatives from ministries, State institutions and development banks. His agenda will include the State Council Information Office, the China Banking Regulation Commission, the People’s Bank of China, the EXIM Bank China, the China Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Meetings with academic experts, representatives of international organizations, business associations and civil society organizations will complete his programme.

During his eight-day mission, the Special Rapporteur will visit Beijing and Shanghai, China’s mayor financial centre.

The Independent Expert will hold a press conference to share the preliminary findings of his visit on Monday 6 July 2015 at 14:30, at UN House, UNDP China, No.2 LiangMaHe NanLu,100600, Beijing, China. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

His final findings and key recommendations will be presented in a comprehensive report to the UN Human Rights Council next year.

ENDS

© Scoop Media