Nearly 70 countries say no to interference in China's internal affairs

Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet related issues are China's internal affairs, and there should be no politicization of human rights and double standards, or interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights, a group of countries stressed Monday at the on-going 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

A joint statement delivered by Pakistan on behalf of 68 States stressed that respect for sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states and non-interference in internal affairs of sovereign states represent the basic norms governing international relations.

The joint statement said that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, adhere to the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, and respect the right of the people of each state to choose independently the path for development in accordance with their national conditions.

It continued that all human rights should be treated with the same emphasis, with sufficient importance attached to economic, social and cultural rights and the right to development in particular.

"Today human beings are faced with multiple challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic. The international community should uphold multilateralism, strengthen solidarity and coordination, and respond jointly to global challenges, advance world peace and development, and promote and protect human rights," the joint statement said.