Joint Statement Delivered by China on Behalf of a Group of Countriesat Item 4 General Debate, 46th Session of the Human Rights Council
2021-03-12 19:37
 

Joint Statement Delivered by China on Behalf of a Group of Countries
at Item 4 General Debate, 46th Session of the Human Rights Council

 

Madam President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of a group of countries.

We condemn the killings of civilians, including children, by Australian overseas military personnel. Credible reports show Australian soldiers have committed serious war crimes. We urge the Australian government to carry out comprehensive and fair investigations into reported cases of summary execution, torture of civilians and other gross human rights violations committed by Australian overseas military personnel, holding those responsible for the crimes accountable and make reparation to the victims. We call on the Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Special Procedures and civil society to monitor the relevant judicial processes carried out by the Australian government.

We are deeply concerned about the Australian government's operation of offshore detention centers in third countries. In particular, those detention centers fall short of adequate medical conditions where a large number of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers have been detained over a long period of time or even indefinitely, and their human rights have been violated. We urge Australia to immediately close down all offshore detention centers and take concrete steps to protect the rights of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, especially children. We also express concern over increasing racial discrimination and violence against women, as well as the long-standing insufficiency in the protection of the rights of aboriginal peoples.

Thank you, Madam President.