Will not comment on President Biden’s comments on xenophobia: UN spokesperson

United Nations: A UN spokesperson has declined to comment on US President Joe Biden calling India, China, Russia and Japan “xenophobic”, but stressed that all member states must continue to uphold basic standards in the UN human rights treaties.

“I wouldn’t comment on what he said, but certainly…” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said Friday when asked whether Biden called China, Japan, Russia and India “xenophobic.”

Elaborating on the issue and the UN’s definition of xenophobia, Haq said: “This is simply the dictionary definition of xenophobia, which you can look up freely. But we certainly believe that all our Member States must continue to uphold all the basic standards of the UN Human Rights Treaties, including those that treat all races and all nationalities with respect. And we believe that all UN Member States are working towards that goal.”

Biden called two of his QUAD partners – India and Japan – and two of his opponents – Russia and China – “xenophobic” countries, claiming that none of these countries, unlike the United States, welcome immigrants.

“These elections are about freedom, America and democracy. That’s why I really need you. You know, one of the reasons our economy is growing is because of you and many others. Why? Because we welcome immigrants,” Biden told his supporters at a fundraiser in Washington on Wednesday evening.

“We look at – the reason – look, think about it. Why is China in such a bad economic situation? Why does Japan have problems? Why is Russia? Why is India? Because they are xenophobic. They don’t want immigrants,” Biden, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, said.

In response to a question about Biden’s comments at an election fundraiser Wednesday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president was making a “broader point.”

“He was making a broader point. Our allies and partners know very well how much this president respects them,” Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily press conference on Thursday.

Immigration is a hot topic in the Nov. 5 presidential election, which will pit Biden against former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee.