But governments look set to ignore some acute human rights situations. For the victims the anniversary will be little cause for celebration. The European Union's decision not to support any resolution on China's human rights record has already cast a shadow over the Commission, by sidelining it in favour of behind the scenes dialogue with China. This dialogue should not displace scrutiny by the Commission of China's human rights record. Discussions between states must not displace the Commission's role of confronting governments which violate human rights, according to Amnesty International.
Governments also look set, yet again, to ignore six years of human rights atrocities in Algeria.
An estimated 80,000 men, women and children have been killed since the start of the conflict in 1992. Security forces, state-armed militias and armed Islamic groups have all been responsible for these human rights abuses. The UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as other senior UN officials have expressed their concerns about this human rights tragedy but it has not led to any concrete action. The gravity of the human rights situation in Algeria requires an international investigation into the responsibility for the killings and other gross human rights abuses. Amnesty International is calling on the Commission to play its role and appoint a Special Rapporteur on Algeria supported by the Commission's thematic mechanisms and other technical experts.