China urges positive response to pleas on Kenyan leaders' trials

China's top UN envoy on Monday urged the Security Council to respond "actively and positively" to the pleas of African countries with respect to the trials of Kenyan leaders.

Liu Jieyi made the statement at a press briefing on the work program of the 15-nation UN body for November.

Liu said that council members have received a draft resolution co-sponsored by African countries on deferring the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto.

Kenyatta, Ruto and radio journalist Joshua Sang face the ICC trial for their alleged roles in murders, deportation or forcible transfer of population, and persecution during Kenya's 2007-2008 post-election violence.

China is "a good friend and good partner of the African countries," Liu said. "We fully understand the concerns of the African Unionand also the concerns of the Kenyan government."

"China supports the Security Council in actively and positively responding to the calls of the African Union and the Kenyan government," he added.

The Chinese envoy stressed that Kenyan leaders were democratically elected by the Kenyan people and their dignity should be fully protected and respected.

Therefore, the Security Council should "work to ensure that Kenyan leaders can concentrate on discharging their constitutional duties, including playing a very constructive regional role in peace and security and in countering terrorism and mediating regional issues," Liu said.

He also noted that international judicial bodies should fully respect a county's judicial sovereignty and also abide by norms governing international relations.

"Their jurisdiction should respect the judicial tradition and the actual needs of the country concerned and also the needs of the larger region," Liu added.

The ICC on Thursday postponed the trial of Kenyatta to Feb. 5, 2014. However, African countries called for the ICC proceedings against Kenyan leaders to be deferred for one year.