A Chinese envoy on Monday made a joint statement on behalf of 26 countries at the General Debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, rebuking the United States and Western countries for violating human rights and calling for complete and immediate lifting of unilateral sanctions and expressing grave concern on systematic racial discrimination.

Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused sustained severe impact on all countries, especially developing countries. The efforts to cope with COVID-19 and realize recovery require global solidarity and international cooperation.

However, Zhang said that, the unilateral coercive measures are still being implemented. These measures have violated the purpose and principles of the UN Charter, the international law, multilateralism and the basic norms governing international relations . Unilateral coercive measures have caused undeniable impact on human rights as they impede the full realization of social and economic development and hinder the well-being of the populace in the affected countries, in particular women, children, adolescents, the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Zhang said that China welcomes the series of resolutions and statements adopted by the United Nations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country calls for the complete and immediate lifting of unilateral coercive measures in order to ensure the full, effective and efficient response to the pandemic by all members of the international community, as global solidarity and international cooperation are the most powerful weapons in fighting and subduing COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhang said; "We also welcome the recently adopted General Assembly resolution entitled comprehensive and coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which strongly urges states to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations."

Besides, Zhang expressed deep concern over the health of migrants at immigration detention centers in certain countries that reflect a contemporary form of racial discrimination.

He said that China welcomes the resolution "The promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Africans and of people of African descent against excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers" adopted by the Human Right Council and called for its full implementation.

Zhang said: "Almost 20 years after the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, instances like the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake continue to take place, and vulnerable people continue to suffer or lose their lives to racism and police brutality. Such instances are a reminder that chronic and deep-rooted racial discrimination, police brutality and social inequality still exist. The COVID-19 mortality rate of minorities, in particular people of African descent, is disproportionately high in some countries."

The General Assembly's Third Committee, also known as the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee, examines a range of issues, including human rights issues. The Committee also discussed issues relating to the advancement of women, the protection of children, aboriginals issues, the treatment of refugees, the promotion of fundamental freedom through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right to self-determination.