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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Ben Glaze

G7 ministers blast 'irresponsible' Russia and rap China over human rights abuses

G7 foreign ministers have blasted Russia's "irresponsible and destabilising" behaviour and pledged to bolster efforts to counter Kremlin threats.

The international rap came after Russian forces massed on the eastern border with Ukraine last month, sparking fears of conflict.

Moscow has also been accused of waging cyber-attacks and trying to foster unrest in democracies.

In their end-of-meeting communique after two days of talks in London, the foreign affairs' ministers of seven of the world's leading industrialised nations lashed out at Vladimir Putin's regime.

"We are deeply concerned that the negative pattern of Russia's irresponsible and destabilising behaviour continues," they said.

Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab at the G7 summit in London (Getty Images)

"This includes the large build-up of Russian military forces on Ukraine's borders and in illegally-annexed Crimea, its malign activities aimed at undermining other countries' democratic systems, its malicious cyber activity, and use of disinformation.”

They added: "We nevertheless will continue to bolster our collective capabilities and those of our partners to address and deter Russian behaviour that is threatening the rules-based international order, including in the areas of cyberspace security and disinformation."

Joe Biden hopes to meet Mr Putin when the US President travels to Europe next month for the full G7 leaders' summit in Cornwall.

G7 ministers levelled criticism at Russia's President Vladimir Putin (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The leaders also called on China to "respect human rights and fundamental freedoms" following widespread condemnation of treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang.

In their statement, the leaders vowed to "look for opportunities" to work with China in efforts of promoting "regional and global peace, security and prosperity".

But the ministers condemned "human rights violations" in Xinjiang and Tibet, especially the targeting of Uighur people, as well as China's "arbitrary, coercive economic policies".

"In line with its obligations under international and national law, we call on China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms," the joint statement said.

"We continue to be deeply concerned about human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang and in Tibet, especially the targeting of Uighurs, members of other ethnic and religious minority groups, and the existence of a large-scale network of 'political re-education' camps, and reports of forced labour systems and forced sterilisation.

"We agree the importance of tackling instances of forced labour through our own available domestic means, including through raising awareness and providing advice and support for our business communities.

On coronavirus, they also committed to working with industry to expand the the production of affordable vaccines.

It comes after a Covid scare at the summit as two members of the Indian delegation tested positive for the virus.

India's Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and the rest of the party were forced to self isolate.

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