G7 countries express concern over human rights situation in China

The Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the European Union expressed concern over the human rights situation in China, particularly in areas such as Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as the continued erosion of civil liberties in Hong Kong.

The statement by the High Representative of the EU to G7 Foreign Ministers was issued after the meeting in Italy. The leaders described the sentencing of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists as a further deterioration in democratic participation and pluralism.

In a statement, the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain and the US and the High Representative of the European Union said, “We are concerned by the human rights situation in China, including in Xinjiang and Tibet.” , We are concerned about the erosion of civil society, human rights and fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong.

“The sentencing of 45 pro-democracy politicians and activists marks a further decline in democratic participation and pluralism, which undermines confidence in the rule of law enshrined in Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and hence Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China’s international legal obligations. “We urge the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to abide by their international human rights commitments and legal obligations,” the statement said.

International organizations have mourned the jailing of 45 Hong Kong opposition leaders convicted of “plotting to subvert state authority” under the city’s national security law. This is seen as a direct challenge to both Hong Kong’s legal autonomy and China’s international legal obligations under various agreements.

China’s inconsistent use of national security laws threatens freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet.

Since the enactment of the law, the human rights situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated, with approximately 300 individuals arrested for violating the national security law or colonial-era sedition laws. The recent introduction of the Article 23 law has intensified repression and further suppressed opposition voices in the city.

In the statement, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries also expressed concern over the situation in the East and South China Sea and reiterated their opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion.

Expressing concern over China’s actions in the East and South China Sea, G7 ministers said, “We are deeply concerned about the situation in the East and South China Sea. We reiterate our strong opposition to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion. “China’s extensive maritime claims in the South China Sea have no legal basis.”

G7 countries expressed protest over China’s militarization and coercive and intimidating activities in the South China Sea. The foreign ministers of the G7 countries expressed protest over China’s dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated interference with the countries’ freedom of navigation and overflight.

In the statement, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries and the High Representative of the European Union said, “We reiterate our opposition to China’s militarization and coercive and intimidating activities in the South China Sea. We re-emphasise the universal and unifying character of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and reaffirm its important role in establishing the legal framework governing all activities in the oceans and seas.

“We continue to protest China’s dangerous use of the coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea and its repeated obstruction of countries’ freedom of navigation and overflight. We express deep concern over the dangerous maneuvers and increased use of water cannons against Philippine and Vietnamese vessels. We reiterate that the award delivered by the arbitral tribunal on 12 July 2016 is an important milestone, which is legally binding on the parties to the proceedings and a useful basis for amicably resolving the disputes between the parties. ,” he/she said.