China Crackdown Comes Under UN Review

For the time being, outcry over the jail terms and fines imposed by Chinese officials of those who are found guilty of spreading rumors online has largely been confined to tree-hugging hippy types like those found in organizations like, er, Amnesty International.

Reuters is reporting that for the first time, the tighter measures that obviously limit freedom of speech (unless you're from North Korea, in which case, it's the opposite) will be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council.  In case you're wondering how China even got through the door without diplomats falling about laughing in the aisles, China isn't actually a member of the UN, but is planning to launch a PR offensive for membership.  Presumably the presentation defending the actions of it's Big V Crackdown that it plans to give in Geneva is a pre-game warm-up.

The Foreign Ministry has said that it will listen to constructive criticisms, saying that it will give them "serious consideration".  Much in the same way that it thoughtfully mulled over what punishment people who call Xi Jin Ping a stinky stoopid boogerhead on Weibo should receive (a 107 year suspended death sentence, in case you're wondering.  Be careful who you call a boogerhead on Weibo).

Adding wiggle room to it's statement, the ministry added ""As for malicious, deliberate criticisms, of course we will uphold our own path and our own correct judgments.".  So as long as the criticisms are accidental, it's all right then.