Human rights: Who's on first, U. S. or China?

Henry "First in war..." Lee III   (Public Domain)

In a tit-for-tat battle over who's got the better (or, more pointedly, worse) human rights record, results from the U. S. and China seem far too close for comfort.

Whereas the United States has long accused China of violating rights in an abysmal manner, China has replied with scathing critiques of America’s own record. 

China’s State Council Information Office recently stated that the United States not only brazenly violates the rights of those in foreign lands, but is also “haunted with spreading guns and frequent occurrence of violent crimes” among its own citizens.

China further asserted that U. S.  “repression and coercion were routine” against Americans who challenged the status quo, and then praised its own success “at lifting millions out of poverty.”

This race to the bottom might be comical if it weren’t so tragic.  “First in war” does not always mean “first in peace.”  Nor does it always mean “first in the hearts of countrymen.”

Resources

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-attacks-us-rights-record-in-annual-report/ar-AAc9sHt

Copyright July 3, 2015 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved