Original Source: www.lokmattimes.com
In a significant gathering at Fiuggi, Italy, foreign ministers from G7 nations and the European Union’s High Representative voiced growing concern over China’s human rights practices. They spotlighted regions like Xinjiang and Tibet, alongside the alarming decline of civic freedoms in Hong Kong, emphasizing the grim sentencing of 45 pro-democracy advocates as indicative of deepening democracy’s erosion in the region.
The G7 ministers, representing Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US, underscored their apprehensions about the civil liberties landscape in China. They pointed to the ramifications of the recent trials of opposition figures in Hong Kong, framing them as a blow to participatory governance and an affront to the international legal commitments China has made.
Condemning the harsh application of the National Security Law, which has led to numerous arrests, the G7 reiterated the threats to freedom and human rights it poses in Hong Kong and beyond. This period has witnessed almost 300 arrests, highlighting a significant shift toward repression since the law’s enactment, which has stifled dissenting voices amid increasing legislative clampdowns.
Additionally, the G7 expressed alarm over China’s aggressive stance in maritime territories, particularly the East and South China Seas. They strongly opposed any unilateral actions that threaten the existing status quo or involve coercion, reaffirming that China’s extensive maritime claims lack a legal foundation under international law.
The ministers condemned China’s militarization and intimidation strategies in the South China Sea. Their statement denounced the dangerous actions against vessels from nations like the Philippines and Vietnam, reiterating the need for adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as a governing framework for oceanic activities, and pointing to the binding nature of the Arbitral Tribunal’s 2016 ruling in resolving disputes.
The backdrop for this article hinges on the deteriorating human rights situation in China, revealed through various reports from international organizations. The focus on Xinjiang and Tibet highlights issues surrounding ethnic minorities, while Hong Kong serves as a focal point for concerns about political repression and civil liberties. The G7’s unified stance indicates an emerging collective approach towards China’s human rights violations and its assertive maritime actions, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and commitments to uphold international laws and norms.
In essence, the G7 nations have united to confront the alarming human rights violations occurring in China, particularly in Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Their collective denunciation of repressive legal measures underlines their commitment to uphold fundamental freedoms. Moreover, their opposition to China’s maritime claims emphasizes the urgent need for adherence to international legal standards as tensions in the East and South China Seas continue to escalate.
