Human Rights Council not to discuss situation of Uyghurs in China despite reports of humanitarian crimes

The United Nations Human Rights Council voted, Thursday October 6th, against holding a debate on alleged abuses by China in Xinjiang, a major setback for Western countries.

 The move came after former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet issued her report on Xinjiang last month, citing possible humanitarian crimes against the Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the far western region of China.

 But after pressure from Beijing, the 47 council members in Geneva voted 19 against and 17 with holding a debate, with 11 abstentions.

The Director-General of the International Service for Human Rights, Phil Lynch, said it was “shameful” that “Muslim countries have largely failed to support discussions at the United Nations about violations of Uyghur rights.”