China Escapes U.S.-Sponsored Censure Over Human Rights

The 53-nation U.N. Human Rights Commission voted 23-17 against consideration of a U.S. resolution that aimed to hold Beijing to the same human rights standards as other countries. China amassed support among African countries.

The U.S. submitted a resolution denouncing Beijing's repression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement, its ``increased restrictions'' on Tibetans and ``harsh sentencing'' of government opponents.

It was the 10th time a Western government has tried - and failed - to pass a resolution condemning China at the annual meeting of the Human Rights Commission.

Hundreds of followers of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, holding white carnations, held a silent vigil in a square outside the United Nations' European headquarters here to back the U.S. attempt.

Also demonstrating was a group of Uighurs - Turkic Muslims from China's northwest - who accused Chinese authorities of using harsh methods to crush separatist sentiment.

Meanwhile, China has launched an attack against two spiritual groups similar to the outlawed Falun Gong for fear they will also grow to challenge the government, a human rights center said Wednesday.

Chinese authorities have declared the Shenchang Human Body Science Group an "evil cult" and have shut down many of the offices of Fragrant Gong, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy said.

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