Fiji withdraws from being a party to the Joint Statement on Human Rights violations in Xinjiang China

The Fiji Government has today announced its withdrawal from being a party to the Joint Statement on Human Rights violations in Xinjiang, China issued at the UN Third Committee on 18th October 2023.

Last week ABC reported that Fiji joined a group of 51 nations supporting a "cross-regional statement" delivered by the United Kingdom, which demands China end human rights abuses in the province and highlights a deeply critical report on Xinjiang by the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights.

In the statement, the countries highlight that the UN High Commissioner found "arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim minorities" in Xinjiang, which "may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity".

While issuing the statement after it’s withdrawal today, the Fiji Government says it reaffirms its unwavering commitment to building enduring cooperation on the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and “non-interference” with the domestic affairs of diplomatic partners.

Fiji says it attaches great value on its bilateral relations with the People’s Republic of China and based on its policy of non-interference has withdrawn Fiji’s vote.

The Government says it avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Government of the People’s Republic of China the assurances of its highest consideration and its commitment to the relationship between the two countries. It was earlier reported that Fiji looks set to withdraw from the UN motion calling on China to address serious human rights violations in Xinjiang to avoid drawing a backlash from Beijing.

Fiji was the only Pacific country with diplomatic links to China to throw its weight behind the motion.

The bulk of the statement's 51 signatories are Western nations, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and a host of European countries.

They were joined by Japan, as well as four Pacific Island nations that recognise Taiwan rather than China.

Fiji's move to join surprised some observers, as Pacific countries with diplomatic ties to China usually keep quiet or back Beijing when Western nations try to ratchet up pressure on the emerging superpower over internal human rights abuses.

One senior Fiji government source told the ABC that the Foreign Affairs Secretary had instructed its mission in New York to "withdraw" from the statement, and suggested that its diplomats signed on without authorisation from Suva.

Questions sent to Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka remain unanswered.