China’s human rights record under UN scrutiny
The UN Human Rights Council held a review of China’s human rights record on Tuesday, with many countries expressing concerns about China’s treatment of its Uyghur Muslim minority and its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
During the review, the Chinese delegation defended its policies, saying that it was committed to protecting human rights and that it had made significant progress in this area. However, many countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia, expressed concerns about the situation in Xinjiang, where it is estimated that up to one million Uyghurs are being held in detention camps.
The Chinese delegation denied allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang, saying that the camps were vocational training centers aimed at combating extremism and terrorism. However, many countries criticized China’s lack of transparency and called for independent observers to be allowed access to the region.
In addition to the situation in Xinjiang, many countries also raised concerns about China’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. The Chinese delegation defended its actions in Hong Kong, saying that it was necessary to maintain stability and security in the region.
A groundbreaking report by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published on August 31, 2022, concluded the “arbitrary and discriminatory” detention of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity”.
However Beijing had rejected the findings, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin telling reporters the “so-called suggestions were pieced together based on disinformation to serve political objectives”.
The review of China’s human rights record comes amid growing international concern about China’s actions both at home and abroad. Many countries have criticized China’s treatment of its Uyghur minority and its crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, while others have raised concerns about China’s growing influence in the world.
