(22 September 2021)

Madam President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of a group of countries. Certain countries,under the pretext of “democracy” and “human rights”, flagrantly conducted illegal military intervention in and prolonged occupation of sovereign states, which severely violates international law and undermines the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the victimized countries.

Illegal military intervention as suchhas seriously hampered the economic and social development of the affected countries, caused numerous casualties and forced displacement of innocent civilians, and seriously violated the human rights of the people in these countries. The relevant countries even connived at their soldiers’ unlawful killing and torture of civilians in the victimized countries, which constitutes serious war crimes and crimes against humanity. The perpetrators remain at large under the shield of their governments.

We urge the countries concerned to immediately stop illegal military intervention and make reparations to the victimized countries. Instead of shifting responsibilities to the international community, they should take due obligations for peaceful reconstruction of the victimized countries. Moreover, they should carry out comprehensive and impartial investigation into cases of unlawful killing and torture of civilians and other gross human rights violations committed by their military personnelandhold perpetrators accountable. We call on the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner for human rights and relevant Special Procedures to pay close attention to the harm of illegal military intervention on human rights and take necessary actions to seek justice for the people of the victimized countries.

Thank you, Madam President.