U.S. lawmaker chides White House on China rights

[NNN0LHI]

GENEVA, April 1 (Reuters) - A U.S. lawmaker on Friday chided the Bush administration for failing to denounce China for grave rights violations -- including forced abortions, torture and religious persecution -- at a top United Nations rights forum.

Representative Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican who is vice chairman of the House International Relations Committee, also urged the U.N. Commission on Human Rights to condemn Cuban President Fidel Castro for what he called "crimes against humanity".

The 53-member state forum is holding its annual six-week session, ending on April 22, to examine violations worldwide.

The United States has said it would not present a resolution on China because of what it says have been recent improvements there on rights issues.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L01627374.htm

[Roland99]

1. I think it's best to clean up our own act before pointing fingers.