Mr. President,
We thank the High Commissioner for his update.
We share the Office’s concerns that the laws and policies documented in its 2022 report on Xinjiang, which concluded “may constitute […] crimes against humanity,” remain in place as China continues to dismiss the report and its recommendations. We are also alarmed by recent baseless prosecutions of journalists and activists in Hong Kong under the new draconian security laws, and ongoing repression in Tibet.
All actors should make clear that no state is above international law – and redouble efforts to end abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and across China.
We appeal to the High Commissioner to present a comprehensive update on the situation in Xinjiang, and an action plan for protecting, and supporting access to justice for, victims and survivors. This Council should take overdue action to investigate China’s egregious rights violations.
We welcome the High Commissioner’s update on Bangladesh, where hundreds have been killed, thousands injured, and over 10,000 arrested, during the unprecedented recent crackdown on protests, following attacks on peaceful student demonstrations.
We welcome the positive steps taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to address the recent violence and years of rights abuses under the previous government and encourage the interim government to request the Council to: independently investigate grave violations committed during the recent crisis and its root causes; ensure ongoing monitoring and reporting; and support the interim government to establish strong, independent, national mechanisms to protect rights and advance justice.
Thank you.
