The UN Human Rights Council 49th Session was held in Geneva from February 28 to April 1. During the session, Peng Qinxuan, a representative of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and an associate researcher at the Wuhan University Institute of Human Rights, submitted a video statement on the issue of U.S. unilateralism in fighting terrorism. The following is the statement in English.

Distinguished Chair and experts,

Speaking on behalf of the China Society for Human Rights Studies, I would like to bring to your attention the fact that the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) has been delisted from the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL List) of the United States. The TEL-designated organizations are those found by the Secretary of State to prepare, support or commit terrorist activities.

It is kindly reminded hereby that the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is a UN-listed terrorist group. It offers help to separatists and religious extremists, and has frequently plotted and carried out terrorist attacks in China, which claimed thousands of civilian lives.

It is further noted that U.S. is a party member of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, and shall, according to its treaty obligation, cooperate in the prevention of terrorist offences by taking all practicable measures.
However, it seems that the U.S. has its unilateral way of defining and fighting terrorism regardless of the facts and its treaty obligation. Therefore, they are encouraged to find their way back to consultation and cooperation in fighting terrorism.

Edited by Wang Yuting & Wu Liuqing