US Calls on China to End Uyghur Repression in Xinjiang

The United States has urged China to take immediate action to stop the ongoing repression of Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang, the Siasat Daily reported yesterday.

In a statement on Friday, marking the second anniversary of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) assessment, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed disappointment that China continues to reject the OHCHR’s findings and has not implemented the High Commissioner’s recommendations.

Miller emphasized the need for China to release individuals arbitrarily detained, cease intimidation against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities, and investigate allegations of serious human rights abuses, including torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and forced medical treatment. He noted that the US remains “gravely concerned” about the ongoing repression, which the OHCHR assessment suggests may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity.

The US plans to work closely with international partners to seek justice for the victims of China’s policies in Xinjiang and to ensure accountability for those responsible for these violations. The OHCHR’s 2022 assessment concluded that serious human rights violations have indeed been committed in the region.