US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the “world should not be fooled” by a potential Chinese-Russian peace plan for Ukraine that would “freeze” in place territory seized by Russian forces.
(Bloomberg) — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the “world should not be fooled” by a potential Chinese-Russian peace plan for Ukraine that would “freeze” in place territory seized by Russian forces.
“The fundamental element of any plan for ending the war in Ukraine and producing a just and durable peace must be upholding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Blinken said Monday, as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin welcomed China’s President Xi Jinping for a three-day visit to Moscow that underscores Beijing’s support.
Putin expressed his willingness to discuss China’s blueprint for ending the war in Ukraine, but Blinken said any plan that doesn’t restore territory seized by Russia is “a stalling tactic at best.” Presenting the State Department’s annual report on human rights globally, Blinken also criticized Xi’s willingness to welcome Putin despite an arrest warrant for the Russian leader issued last week by the International Criminal Court.
Here are some of the evaluations offered in the State Department’s annual human rights report, which offered blunt assessments of both allies and adversaries:
Ethiopia
Blinken said the US has determined that both sides committed atrocities during the conflict in northern Ethiopia that was halted by a Nov. 2 cessation of hostilities agreement.
The secretary, who met with Ethiopian government and leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in Addis Ababa last week, praised the cessation of violence and improved humanitarian conditions, but said that “to build a durable peace, there must be acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by all parties, as well as accountability, together with reconciliation.”
India
The State Department found that in 2022 the Indian government or its agents conducted arbitrary arrests, detentions and killings; engaged in torture or cruel, inhumane treatment of prisoners; and failed to investigate or hold perpetrators accountable for gender-based violence. The report, which echoed past findings, also said India has unduly restricted or harassed the press and human rights organizations.
“A lack of accountability for official misconduct persisted at all levels of government, contributing to widespread impunity,” according to the report. “Lax enforcement, a shortage of trained police officers, and an overburdened and under-resourced court system contributed to a low number of convictions.”
Saudi Arabia
The State Department offered a familiar assessment of Saudi Arabia, a key US partner in the Middle East that has seen its relationship strained over human rights. In 2022, the kingdom engaged in arbitrary arrests and killings, torture, transnational repression, and committed wartime violations with airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Yemen, the report says.
Israel
The report offered blunt criticism of Israel, a close ally. Among other abuses, it cited credible reports of “unlawful or arbitrary killings; arbitrary or unjust detention, including of Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories; restrictions on Palestinians residing in Jerusalem including arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy, family, and home.”
It said “the Israeli military and civilian justice systems have rarely found members of the security forces to have committed abuses.” But it said the government “took some steps to identify, investigate, prosecute, and punish officials who committed human rights abuses, engaged in corruption, or both within Israel.”
Turkey
The State Department found that Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally and major security partner, has continued to violate human rights, particularly under the authority of a 2018 anti-terrorism law. The report cited credible reports of arbitrary arrests, detentions and killings; lack of judicial independence; and restrictions on freedom of movement and expression, among other violations.
The US report makes repeated reference to impunity for abuses committed by Turkish government officials and members of the country’s security forces.
(Updates with human rights report findings starting in fourth paragraph)
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