[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour [official profile] wrapped up an official visit to China [UN press release] Friday, calling for China to release data about its use of capital punishment and urging cooperation with international standards. "It is not appropriate to say: 'We are doing this our own way'" she said, citing optimism for improvement but objecting to China's position [Reuters report] that nations work on their own to protect human rights. Arbour also expressed concern [UN News report] that those executed in China may be victims of discrimination, or guilty of crimes that international standards don't consider serious enough to warrant the death penalty. Earlier this week, the Chinese government signed a memorandum of understanding [JURIST report], committing to legal reforms that will enable the country to join the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [text]. AP has more.