U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft on Monday said Taiwan is a force for good in the world. She was speaking at the Heritage foundation, a US think tank, as she called for comprehensive reforms to the U.N. Human Rights Council (HRC)
Craft criticized the body for giving China a seat on its council while denying a voice to those, including Taiwan, Beijing mistreats.
China is one of the 15 members elected to the council in October. Craft said China is known for "egregious examples of human rights abuses". She called China's election to the council an "outrage" and said it "stands in stark contrast to Taiwan, a true force for good in the world".
The United States had left the U.N. Human Rights Council and Craft proposed reforms that should take place before it considers rejoining. She said responsible nations should call for stricter membership criteria and a higher threshold for election to the council.
Referring to China's oppression, she said "I cannot turn away from the mistreatment of the Taiwanese, the Hong Kongers, the Tibetans, the Uyghers, the Rohingyas and many more".
U.S. President-elect Joe Biden has expressed interest in rejoining the council. Biden has said he plans to nominate career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield as Craft's successor after taking office on Jan. 20.
The U.N. Human Rights Council has 47 members that are elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional basis.