In Sudan, a wholly unjustified conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions. In the DRC, civilians are fleeing escalating fighting and appalling sexual violence. We must stand up for all human rights, everywhere. And yet today what do we see? In Gaza, we see shocking humanitarian suffering of Palestinian civilians, struggling for basic food and medicine, with 30,000 people killed. We also see the plight of hostages held in Gaza and the anguish of their families. Thank you, Mr Vice President. We see a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council, Russia, holding a sham election in someone else’s country, Ukraine. And Russia’s forces deporting Ukrainian children and torturing civilian detainees. Thank you. Another Permanent Member, China, continues to persecute Uyghurs and Tibetans. Restrict civil society. Arbitrarily detain lawyers, human rights defenders, and journalists like Sophia Huang. The Hong Kong authorities have rushed through new national security legislation that will further erode rights and freedoms and which, as the High Commissioner himself said, is likely incompatible with international law. Three months ago, we gathered in this hall to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And after 13 years of unimaginable suffering in Syria, violence is only increasing.
