From:

The New York Times, March 8, 1995

Geneva - China failed early today to block a vote by the United Nations Human Rights Commission on a Western-spondored resolution criticizing its record.

The Chairman of the 53-member commission announced that the session would reconvene later this morning to formally consider the resolution, which expresses concern at violations, including extrajudicial executions and religious intolerance.

China submitted a "no action" motion to quash the resolution, but its procedural request was rejected by a vote of 22 in favore and 22 against with 9 abstensions. Under United Nations rules, Beijing would have needed one more vote.

"This is an historic vote," a Unietd Nations official said after the session was adjourned early this morning. "It is the first time a no action motion of China has been defeated."

France introduced the moderate resolution on behalf of the European Union, noting that the text recognized China's steps toward reform of its legal system.

The chief United States delegate, Geraldine Ferraro, said approving China's motion would send "the wrong signal to the Chinese Governement and to those courageos people who have risked their lives and freedom to improve human rights conditions in China."