G7 countries condemn Russia, Iran and China for human rights violations and threats to international order

The G7 countries concluded their first face-to-face meeting in more than two years on Wednesday, with strong accusations against the Chinese regime for human rights violations and for the repression of pro-democracy figures, while expressing concern at Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, United States, France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan They also called on the Iranian regime to release foreign nationals and dual citizens arbitrarily detained in Iranian prisons.

The diplomatic leaders of these countries too warned Myanmar’s military junta, which staged a coup in February, with new sanctions, in a comprehensive final communiqué covering the world’s most pressing geopolitical issues, such as climate change and post-pandemic recovery.

Ministers, meeting in central London under strict coronavirus restrictions, pledged to financially support the vaccine delivery program, Covax.

However, there has been no announcement of new funding to improve access to vaccines, despite repeated calls for the G7 to do more to help the poorest countries.

This week’s meeting sets the tone for the G7 leaders’ meeting in Cornwall (southwest England) next month, at which the US President, Joe biden, will make its international presentation.

“We recognize that we are meeting in an exceptional and rapidly changing environment,” the leaders said in the closing statement. “We are committed to working together, with partner countries and within the multilateral system, to shape a cleaner, freer, fairer and more secure future for the planet (…) We resolve to continue working on issues and tangible results together and in association with many others “.

The G7 countries reserved their harshest criticisms of the Chinese regime, urging the Asian giant to fulfill its obligations under international and domestic law.

They said they were “deeply concerned” about human rights violations and abuses against the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang province and Tibet, and called for an end to attacks on human rights protesters. man in Hong Kong.

However, they left the door open for future cooperation with Beijing: “We are looking for opportunities to work with China to promote regional and global peace, security and prosperity.”

G7 leaders have stressed the need for a common position to deal with global threats, unlike the growing unilateralism of recent years and the withdrawal of global institutions, even under former US President Donald Trump.

They also targeted Russia for what they called “irresponsible and destabilizing behavior” when they piled up troops on the Ukrainian border., “malicious cyber activity”, disinformation and malicious intelligence activity.

“We will continue to strengthen our collective capacities and those of our partners to confront and deter Russian behaviors that threaten the rules-based international order,” they said.

The G7 countries have sanctioned military generals who deposed the democratically elected leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi. But they warned they were ready to “take more action if the military does not change course.”

Access to vaccines

Campaigners urged the G7 to step up efforts to tackle glaring inequalities in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, as Western countries step up vaccination campaigns and reopen their economies.

More than 1.2 billion doses of vaccines against the virus have been administered worldwide, but less than 1% have been administered in less developed countries.

With the support of most rich countries, the Covax program, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to share vaccines with the poorest countries.

But rich countries have also bypassed Covax in the early stages, making their own deals with drugmakers, while pharmaceutical giants are determined to make vaccine patents available to everyone to withstand the waves.

Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said much more was needed and urged the G7 to provide most of the $ 60 billion it believes will be needed over the next two years to immunize everyone and help economic recovery.

The G7 said it recognizes the need for an “inclusive and sustainable recovery” and supports “all existing mechanisms” for access to vaccines, including through Covax.

The group has already pledged more than $ 10.7 billion. But no additional funding has been announced. Instead, the ministers “urged all partners to step up their support as the critical next step in controlling the pandemic and boosting health security.”

With information from AFP

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