China leads UN call for US to end ‘coercive’ sanctions
- Beijing, Moscow and governments of two dozen other countries accuse Washington of racial discrimination and violation of human rights through unilateral levies
- Statement read by Chinese envoy Zhang Jun says US duties make it harder for other nations to deal with coronavirus pandemic
China, Russia and two dozen other countries called on the United States and Western nations to end the use of unilateral sanctions, which they said make it harder to deal with Covid-19.
In a statement read by Chinese envoy Zhang Jun at the United Nations, they accused the US of violating human rights, systematic racial discrimination and hindering development in countries it places economic sanctions on.
“The response to and recovery from Covid-19 requires global solidarity and international cooperation,” the countries said in the statement.
“However, we continue to witness the application of unilateral coercive measures, which are contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and International Law,” they said.
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China says US sanctions of firms over South China Sea constructions are illegal
“We seize this opportunity to call for the complete and immediate lifting of unilateral coercive measures, in order to ensure the full, effective and efficient response of all members of the international community to Covid-19.”