Trump, Xi Attacks on Rights a Challenge for APEC Summit – Human Rights Watch

Report on US-China Relations and Their Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit occurs amid escalating actions by the United States and China that significantly threaten the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Domestic and foreign policies enacted by both nations directly undermine key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This report analyzes these actions and proposes a response for democratic nations to uphold the international framework for sustainable development.

Erosion of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The policies of both the United States and China demonstrate a regression from the core targets of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Domestic Policies Contravening SDG 16 Targets

• People’s Republic of China: The government’s intensified repression undermines Target 16.3 (promote the rule of law) and Target 16.10 (ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms). Specific actions include:
  • Systematic human rights abuses against Uyghurs, constituting crimes against humanity.
  • Elimination of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.
  • Increased surveillance and harassment of diaspora communities, violating their fundamental rights.
• United States of America: The administration’s actions challenge Target 16.6 (develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions) and Target 16.7 (ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making). Specific actions include:
  • Disregard for the constitutional system of checks and balances.
  • Abusive immigration raids and forced deportations conducted without due process.

Undermining Global Justice Mechanisms

Both governments have actively worked to weaken international judicial bodies, directly conflicting with the global effort to end impunity for atrocity crimes as envisioned under SDG 16. Both the U.S. and China have sought to undermine the International Criminal Court, the institution of last resort for prosecuting grave international crimes.

Challenges to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

SDG 17 calls for strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. The actions of both the U.S. and China represent a significant setback for the multilateral cooperation essential to achieving all SDGs.

Retreat from Multilateral Engagement

The United States has withdrawn support from critical global institutions, weakening the partnerships necessary to address global challenges.

• Curtailment of voluntary financial contributions to the United Nations.
• Withdrawal from key multilateral agencies, including the World Health Organization (impacting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) and the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Subversion of International Cooperation

China has utilized its position within the U.N. to weaken human rights accountability, subverting the principles of transparent and accountable partnerships.

• Aggressively silencing criticism of its human rights record at the U.N.
• Attempting to defund U.N. human rights mandates.
• Blocking or weakening U.N. resolutions concerning civil society and human rights defenders.
• Promoting concepts like “win-win cooperation” to dilute international accountability mechanisms.

Recommendations for APEC Member States to Uphold the 2030 Agenda

In response to these challenges, democratic nations attending the APEC summit should take concerted action to defend the multilateral system and the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Reaffirm Commitment to Universal Standards: Publicly reaffirm that human rights and democratic principles are universal values enshrined in international law and are foundational to achieving the SDGs, particularly SDG 16.
2. Defend Multilateral Institutions: State clear opposition to attacks on the U.N. system and call on both the U.S. and China to restore and sustain funding and engagement, in alignment with the principles of SDG 17.
3. Establish an Asia Democracy Defense Fund: Pledge to create a dedicated fund to provide a vital lifeline to human rights defenders, independent journalists, and civil society organizations, which are essential partners in achieving inclusive societies (Target 16.7).
4. Create Safe Havens for Activists: Forge an action plan to establish safe havens and special resettlement programs for human rights defenders at risk, thereby protecting the individuals and groups whose work is critical to monitoring and implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s central theme is the deterioration of the international order, attacks on the rule of law, and the weakening of institutions responsible for upholding human rights. It details repression, crimes against humanity, lack of due process, and threats to democratic principles in both China and the U.S. Furthermore, it highlights the undermining of key international bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, which are fundamental to achieving peace and justice. The call to protect human rights defenders and civil society also directly aligns with this goal.
2. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article extensively discusses the breakdown of multilateralism and international cooperation, which is the core of SDG 17. It cites specific actions by the U.S. and China that weaken global partnerships, such as the U.S. withdrawing from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council, and both countries working to undermine the U.N. system. The call for democratic leaders to defend the U.N. system and restore funding is a direct appeal to strengthen global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. This is relevant due to the discussion of “forced deportations without due process” in the U.S., the eradication of freedoms in Hong Kong, and the general disregard for the “international rule of law” by both the U.S. and Chinese governments.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The article points to a failure in this area by describing how both governments are undermining their own constitutional systems and international institutions, leading to a “general deterioration in the international order.”
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. This target is addressed through the article’s focus on threats to “human rights defenders and independent journalists,” the repression of freedoms in Hong Kong, and the call to create “safe havens” for activists.
   • Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime. The article highlights the opposite trend, with both nations undermining international institutions like the International Criminal Court, which is designed to be the “court of last resort for grave international crimes.” The proposed “Asia Democracy Defense Fund” is a direct call to strengthen institutions through international cooperation.
2. Under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. The actions of the U.S. and China, as described, create policy incoherence by attacking the very international systems (human rights, health, justice) that are necessary for sustainable development.
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development… The article is a critique of the failure to meet this target, detailing how the U.S. has “withdrawn from numerous U.N. institutions” and how China has been “aggressively silencing criticism at the U.N.” These actions directly harm the global partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 16 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 16.3: The article implies an indicator related to due process. Progress could be measured by tracking the number of individuals subjected to forced deportation without due process.
   • Indicator for Target 16.10: The text points to the need to protect journalists and activists. An implied indicator is the number of human rights defenders, activists, and journalists killed, detained, or attacked. The creation of “safe havens” and a “special resettlement stream” suggests tracking the number of at-risk individuals who are successfully resettled.
   • Indicator for Target 16.6/16.a: The article’s focus on undermining international bodies suggests an indicator related to institutional support. Progress could be measured by a country’s membership status and level of engagement in international bodies like the U.N. Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court.
2. For SDG 17 Targets:
   • Indicator for Target 17.16: The article explicitly mentions funding cuts. A direct indicator is the amount of official development assistance and voluntary financial contributions to multilateral institutions, such as the U.N. and the World Health Organization. The call to “restore and sustain U.N. funding” makes this a key metric.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: hrw.org