GENEVA, Switzerland — The
UN rights chief on
Monday called for concerted action to recover from the worst global
deterioration of rights she had seen, highlighting the situation in China,
Russia and Ethiopia among others.
اضافة اعلان
"To recover from the most wide-reaching and severe cascade of human
rights setbacks in our lifetimes, we need a life-changing vision, and concerted
action," Michelle Bachelet told the opening of the
UN Human RightsCouncil's 47th session.
The session, which lasts until July 13 and is being held virtually due to
continued Covid-19 restrictions, is set to feature an eagerly anticipated
report by Bachelet about systemic racism, and draft resolutions focused on
several concerning rights situations, including in Myanmar, Belarus and
Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.
'Executions, sexual
violence'
In her opening address, Bachelet said she was deeply disturbed by reports of
"serious violations" in Tigray, racked by war and with about 350,000
people threatened by famine.
She pointed to "extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and
detentions, sexual violence against children as well as adults," and said
she had "credible reports" that Eritrean soldiers were still
operating in the region.
Other parts of Ethiopia, which was holding elections on Monday, were also
seeing "alarming incidents of deadly ethnic and inter-communal violence
and displacement," Bachelet said.
"The ongoing deployment of military forces is not a durable
solution," she said, calling for national dialogue.
Bachelet also decried the situation in northern Mozambique, ravaged by
recent deadly jihadist violence, where she said food insecurity was rising and
"almost 800,000 people, including 364,000 children" had now been
forced to flee their homes.
'Chilling impact'
The UN rights chief also pointed to the "chilling impact" of a
sweeping national security law introduced in Hong Kong.
The law, which took effect on the eve of July 1, 2020, is seen as the spear
tip of a sweeping crackdown on Beijing's critics in the semi-autonomous city of
Hong Kong following 2019's huge democracy protests.
It has criminalised much dissent, given China jurisdiction over some
cases and awarded authorities a suite of powerful new investigative powers.
Bachelet warned that "107 people have been arrested under the National
Security Law and 57 have been formally charged".
She also pointed to "reports of serious human rights violations"
in China's Xinjiang region, and said she hoped Beijing would grant her a
long-discussed visit there, including "meaningful access" this year.
The UN rights chief has been facing swelling diplomatic pressure to speak
out more forcefully about China's policies in the northwestern region, where
the United States has accused Beijing of committing genocide and crimes against
humanity against the Uyghurs.
At least one million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been
held in camps in the region, according to rights groups who also accuse
authorities of imposing forced labour -- allegations Beijing vehemently denies.
Dozens of countries, led by Canada, are expected to deliver a joint
statement to the council on Tuesday, which will reportedly voice concern about
the rights situation in
Xinjiang and demand China grant Bachelet and other
independent observers unfettered access.
In anticipation of that statement, the Chinese mission in Geneva last week
slammed the group for its efforts "to spread disinformation and lies to
frame China," and use "human rights as a political tool."
Kremlin undermining
critical voices
In her address Monday, the UN rights chief also criticized recent measures
by the Kremlin shrinking the space for opposing political views and access to
participation in September elections.
She highlighted the recent moves to dismantle the movement of jailed
opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Barring his organisations from working in the country, a Moscow court
earlier this month branded them as "extremist", in a ruling Bachelet
said was "based on vaguely defined allegations of attempting to change the
foundations of constitutional order."
Russian President Vladimir Putin has meanwhile signed legislation outlawing
staff, members and sponsors of "extremist" groups from running in
parliamentary elections.
"I call on Russia to uphold civil and political rights," Bachelet
said, also urging the authorities "to end the arbitrary practice of
labelling ordinary individuals, journalists, and non-governmental organizations
as 'extremists', 'foreign agents' or 'undesirable organizations'."
Read more
Region & World
.jpg)
.jpg)
