Thank you Mr. President,

We strongly condemn the continuing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s long list of human rights violations, including in the temporarily occupied territories. Russia must stop its aggression, start engaging in good faith peace negotiations, stop its attacks on civilian infrastructure, and release unlawfully detained civilians, prisoners of war, and all forcibly transferred or deported persons. 

We are deeply concerned about the ongoing escalation and urge Iran to immediately cease indiscriminate attacks across the wider region. We are alarmed by the renewed internet shutdown and by the widespread human rights violations that persist unabated within Iran. 

We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank which has deteriorated during the latest escalation in the region. We call upon Israel to immediately resume unhindered and safe access to the Gaza Strip for humanitarian aid and basic services. New Israeli measures aimed at increasing control over the occupied West Bank are deeply concerning. 

We strongly condemn the horrific human rights violations committed by the warring parties in Sudan. We call upon them to end all hostilities and respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The atrocities committed by the RSF and its allies, described in the recent Fact-Finding Mission report, represent a new low and remind us why perpetrators must be held accountable. 

We call on China to implement the recommendations of the UPR, Treaty Bodies and the OHCHR’s Xinjiang report. Freedom of Religion or Belief for religious communities and faiths must be protected. Curbing of freedom of expression, including in Hong Kong, remains a concern.

Thank you.