Western countries use UN-backed review to press China on its treatment of activists and minorities

By JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — Western countries have used a regular U.N.-backed review of China’s human rights record to press Beijing to do more to allow freedom of expression, protect the rights of ethnic minorities, repeal a national security law in Hong Kong and to implement other changes. China’s ambassador in Geneva led a delegation from some 20 Chinese ministries for the review conducted under the U.N. Human Rights Council.  He stressed China’s progress in poverty eradication, said citizens engage in “democratic elections” and gave assurance that freedom of religious belief is safeguarded. An extraordinarily high number of more than 160 countries — some critics of Beijing, some allies — registered to take part in Tuesday’s discussion.