US, EU Urge China to Address Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang

During the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Michèle Taylor, called on China to implement recommendations from a two-year-old UN report and release unjustly detained Uyghurs in Xinjiang, RFA reported yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of a coalition of countries, including Australia and the UK, Taylor emphasized the need for China to clarify the whereabouts of missing family members and facilitate safe reunions.

The 2022 report by former UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet highlighted “serious human rights violations” in Xinjiang, indicating that the repression of Uyghurs could constitute crimes against humanity. Despite this, a proposal for a debate on the issue was defeated by China and its allies in a 19-17 vote.

Rushan Abbas, executive director of Campaign for Uyghurs, praised the Core Group’s statement for addressing the “undeniable atrocities” in Xinjiang, including arbitrary detention and forced labor. She urged the UN to strengthen its accountability efforts regarding China.

The European Union also expressed concern over China’s treatment of Uyghurs, citing reports of mass detentions and widespread surveillance. The EU delegation reiterated the need for China to respect human rights and provide bilingual education for ethnic minorities.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian dismissed the criticisms, asserting that issues related to Xinjiang and Tibet are internal matters and condemned the politicization of human rights by the U.S. and its allies.