Madame President,

China takes a consistent stand against racism and racial discrimination in any form. We support the African Group in initiating this Urgent Debate at the Human Rights Council.

We are deeply shocked and saddened over the death of George Floyd and extend our sincere condolences to the bereaved family. Life is paramount. Black lives matter. As the High Commissioner for Human Rights and many Special Procedure mandate holders have indicated, the death of George Floyd is not an isolated case. Rather, it exposes long-existing and deep-rooted racism, police brutality and inequalities in the United States.

We urge the United States to heed the call of the international community and honor in all seriousness its international human rights obligations; to eliminate racism, racial discrimination and other human rights violations and protect the legitimate rights of ethnic minorities; to stop using human rights as a political tool and abandon double standards.

We call on the international community to intensify consensus by fully implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and supporting the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR to double efforts in combating racism so as to further the international anti-racism cause.

Thank you, Madame President.