Australia and 55 other countries, including the United States and the UK, have launched a declaration against the use of arbitrary detention of foreign citizens to obtain political leverage in state-to-state relations. “We are a strong advocate for promoting and protecting human rights,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a video message at 1 a.m. on Feb. 16. “The right not to be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention is guaranteed in international law and states must comply with their international human rights law obligations.” The Canada-led declaration comes in response to arbitrary detention being used by countries as bargaining chips in foreign relations. It calls on participating nations to take firm steps to prevent and put an end to harsh conditions in detention, denial of access to legal counsel, torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Payne noted that part of the declaration includes not using the …