Human rights and major powers
PRESIDENT Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping had a lengthy debate of over three hours, discussing major global issues and problems exist between the United States and China.
Though, no immediate outcome is expected from this discussion, however, it is considered as good gesture for international peace and confidence building measures between two major powers.
Indeed, the conflicting environment between major powers causes instability at international level where developing states suffer the most.
The Joe Biden-Xi Jinping debate discussed a range of issues like; “North Korea, Afghanistan, Iran, global energy market, trade and competition, climate, military issues, the pandemic and other areas where they frequently disagree.”
It is worth mentioning that, the US and China are also undergoing a covert economic cold war where Washington is facing serious challenges to compete the economic might of Beijing. China is far ahead in influencing the international community in the field of economy.
Former US President Donald Trump tried to subdue China but failed in his strategy. In the same context, President Biden was more focus to end this unending war.
He said, “It seems to me our responsibility as leaders of China and the United States is to ensure that competition between our countries does not veer into conflict, whether intended or unintended.”
President Xi said, “I hope that you can exercise political leadership to return the United States’ China policy to a rational and pragmatic track.”
In the meeting, Chinese President was more concerned about the US policy of supporting Taiwan’s independence. Indeed, these are red-lines for China.
Xi told Biden that, “China is patient and seeks peaceful reunification with great sincerity and effort, but if Taiwan secessionists provoke, or even cross the red line, we will have to take decisive measures.”
The conflicting situation between the (former) Soviet Union and United States caused huge human and economic losses during the cold war (1945-1991).
It was expected that, there will be global peace and stability at international level in unipolar world, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Nevertheless, the US unjust invasions and military influence at the global level created further dilemmas for developing world.
The so-called global war against terrorism was aimed to increase the US influence all over the world while targeting the Muslim world.
In the garb of countering the so-called terrorism the US and its allies unleashed a reign of terror over the Muslims in Middle East, Africa and Afghanistan with Pakistan as the prime target of the US exploitative strategy.
Millions of innocent people mostly Muslims died during the US-led counter terrorism campaign all over the world.
The US counter-terrorism campaign encouraged Russia to dub the freedom movement of Chechnya as terrorism and killed thousands of Chechens in a series of its military operations.
It is worth mentioning that following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, Chechnya declared its independence from Russia. Nevertheless, the ill-equipped Chechens were brutally treated by Russian forces.
This Muslim state has remained under Russia since 1858 with partial autonomy and independence at various phases.
The US so-called war on terror also encouraged India to kill over 100,000 Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Indian security forces have raped over 13000 Kashmiris women and is undertaking a systematic process of genocide in IIOJK.
It is worth mentioning that the Kashmiris are struggling for their right of self-determination since 1947.
There are over twenty UN resolutions, supporting Kashmiris right of self-determination. Indeed, the major powers have their own global agendas to pursue their strategic interests.
Unfortunately, in the process, Muslim countries and Muslim population all over the world is being targeted to attain these agendas.
Analysing the track record of human rights violation at the global level, it is estimated that, over 90 per cent cases of human rights violations have been undertaken against Muslims in the first two decades of 21st century. These violations were undertaken by major powers directly or indirectly.
In a way, the target area is same for all major powers. There is a need that, rather generalizing the human rights issues, let’s be specific and stop the process of persecution of Muslims all over the world.
In this regards, the Muslim leadership of 57 Muslim countries has the fundamental responsibility to discharge.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
