Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Remarks on the Xinjiang-related Joint Statement by Cuba on Behalf of 64 Countries to Support China at the UN Human Rights Council |
2021-03-12 20:05 |
Q: Cuba on March 12 made a joint statement on behalf of 64 countries at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council in support of China's position on Xinjiang-related matters. The statement also urged the relevant parties to stop using such matters to interfere in China's internal affairs. What is your comment? A: For quite some time, certain countries have been using Xinjiang-related matters to fabricate lies that slander and discredit China's counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts in Xinjiang. In response, a majority of friendly and developing countries, upholding an objective and unbiased attitude, have spoken out collectively on multiple occasions to support China's position and measures on Xinjiang-related matters. The joint statement made by Cuba at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council proposes that all sides promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation. It firmly opposes the politicization of human rights issues and double standards, stresses that Xinjiang is an inseparable part of China, and urges relevant parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stop using Xinjiang-related matters to interfere in China's internal affairs, stop making unjustified and politically-motivated accusations against China, and stop seeking to contain developing countries under the pretext of human rights issues. Besides the joint statement, representatives from many other countries have spoken out separately to support China's legitimate stance on Xinjiang-related matters. I'd like to point out that Xinjiang-related issues are not human rights issues at all. They are in essence about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism. There have never been such things as "genocide", "forced labor" or "religious oppression" in Xinjiang. They are nothing but baseless and sensational accusations made by those ignorant, ill-intentioned and biased individuals who simply want to extend their political interests. A majority of developing countries have made their overwhelming calls for justice heard at the UN Human Rights Council, standing in a sharp contrast to a handful of countries who have made trumped-up charges against China. This clearly shows which side enjoys the support of the people and that lies will always be lies, something that can never stand the test of facts. We urge these countries to abandon ideological prejudice, stop politicizing and applying double standards on human rights issues, and stop undermining China's interests and interfering in China's internal affairs by using Xinjiang-related issues as a pretext. |