世界の人権状況、ここ数十年で最悪　国連人権高等弁務官が警鐘

【ジュネーブＡＦＰ＝時事】国連（ＵＮ）のミチェル・バチェレ人権高等弁務官は２１日、スイス・ジュネーブで開かれた国連人権理事会（ＵＮＨＲＣ）の第４７回会合の冒頭で中国やロシア、エチオピアでの人権問題に言及し、世界の人権状況はここ数十年で最悪だとして、改善に向け「一致団結した行動」を呼び掛けた。（写真は資料写真）
　バチェレ氏は、多くの国の人権状況に深い懸念を表明。紛争にあえぎ、約３５万人が飢餓の危機にあるとされるエチオピア北部ティグレ州については、「深刻な人権侵害」が報告されていることに「強い危惧の念を抱いている」と述べた。
　中国の新疆ウイグル自治区については、今年同自治区を訪れ、「意義のある視察」ができることを望んでいると述べた。
　ウイグル自治区における中国政府の政策には国際的な非難が高まっており、米国は中国がイスラム系少数民族ウイグル人に対してジェノサイド（大量虐殺）と人道に対する罪を犯していると非難している。
　またバチェレ氏は、香港で昨年新設された国家安全維持法（国安法）の「恐ろしい影響」にも警鐘を鳴らした。
　同氏はさらに、最近のロシア政府による反体制派への締め付けの強化も非難した。ロシアでは反体制派が抑圧され、次の選挙への出馬も制限されている。特に、収監中の野党勢力指導者アレクセイ・ナワリヌイ氏の団体を解体する最近の措置に懸念を示した。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】

〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2021/06/22-13:31）

The UN rights chief on Monday called for concerted action to recover from the worst global deterioration of rights she had seen, highlighting the situation in China, Russia and Ethiopia among others.
To recover from the most wide-reaching and severe cascade of human rights setbacks in our lifetimes, we need a life-changing vision, and concerted action, Michelle Bachelet told the opening of the UN Human Rights Council's 47th session.
The session, which lasts until July 13 and is being held virtually, is set to feature an eagerly anticipated report by Bachelet about systemic racism, and draft resolutions on Myanmar, Belarus and Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.
- 'Executions, sexual violence' -
In her opening address, Bachelet said she was deeply disturbed by reports of serious violations in Tigray, racked by war and with about 350,000 people threatened by famine.
She pointed to extrajudicial executions, arbitrary arrests and detentions, sexual violence against children as well as adults, and said she had credible reports that Eritrean soldiers were still operating in the region.
Other parts of Ethiopia, which held elections on Monday, were also seeing alarming incidents of deadly ethnic and inter-communal violence and displacement, Bachelet said.
The ongoing deployment of military forces is not a durable solution, she said, calling for national dialogue.
Bachelet also decried the situation in northern Mozambique, ravaged by recent deadly jihadist violence, where she said food insecurity was rising and almost 800,000 people, including 364,000 children had now been forced to flee their homes.
- 'Chilling impact' -
The UN rights chief also pointed to the chilling impact of a sweeping national security law introduced in Hong Kong.
The law, which took effect on the eve of July 1, 2020, is seen as the spear tip of a sweeping crackdown on Beijing's critics in the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong following 2019's huge democracy protests.
It has criminalised much dissent, given China jurisdiction over some cases and awarded authorities powerful new investigative powers.
Bachelet warned that 107 people have been arrested under the National Security Law and 57 have been formally charged.
She also pointed to reports of serious human rights violations in China's Xinjiang region, and said she hoped Beijing would grant her a long-discussed visit there, including meaningful access this year.
The UN rights chief has been facing diplomatic pressure to speak out about China's policies in the northwestern region, where the United States has accused Beijing of genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs.
At least one million Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim minorities have been held in camps, according to rights groups -- allegations Beijing vehemently denies.
Liu Yuyin, a spokesman at the Chinese mission in Geneva, said Bachelet had made erroneous remarks on Hong Kong and Xinjiang and should stop making erroneous remarks which interfere in China?s sovereignty and judicial independence.
Liu said Bachelet would be welcome to visit Xinjiang, but the trip should be a friendly one... rather than making the so-called 'investigation' under the presumption of guilt.
Dozens of countries, led by Canada, are expected to deliver a joint statement to the council on Tuesday, which will reportedly voice concern about the rights situation in Xinjiang and demand China grant Bachelet and other independent observers unfettered access.
Certain countries and forces, out of political motives, spread shameless lies about Xinjiang in an attempt to tarnish China's image, said Liu. Their attempt will not go anywhere.
- Kremlin undermining critics -
Bachelet also criticised recent measures by the Kremlin shrinking the space for opposing political views and access to participation in September elections.
She highlighted the recent moves to dismantle the movement of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Barring his organisations from working in the country, a Moscow court earlier this month branded them as extremist in a ruling Bachelet said was based on vaguely defined allegations of attempting to change the foundations of constitutional order.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed legislation outlawing staff, members and sponsors of extremist groups from running in parliamentary elections.
I call on Russia to uphold civil and political rights, Bachelet said.