UN finally reports 'serious human rights violations' taking place in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, delayed disclosure due to Chinese pressure



The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet released a report on August 31, 2022, saying that China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region is undergoing 'serious human rights violations.' Regarding the report, it is said that there was strong pressure from China, which denies human rights violations, and it was unclear until just before Bachelet's retirement on August 31 whether the report would be published.

UN rights office publishes Xinjiang report opposed by China - ABC News

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/deadline-looming-china-vies-block-report-xinjiang-89117931

China may have committed 'crimes against humanity' in Xinjiang, UN report finds - CNN
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/31/asia/un-xinjiang-china-bachelet-report-intl

UN report on human rights in Xinjiang expected Wednesday after long delays - The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/31/un-china-xinjiang-report/

UN report finds 'serious human rights violations' in Xinjiang
https://www.axios.com/2022/08/31/china-xinjiang-un-human-rights

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report (PDF file) late on August 31, citing 'massive detentions' in Xinjiang under the guise of counter-terrorism. , pointing to credible testimony of 'torture and rape' and 'forced sterilization', denounced them as possible international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity.

In the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in western China, it is known that there are concentration camps for torturing and brainwashing minority Uyghurs and Muslims, but China claims that it is a 'vocational training center'. He also denies any crackdown on the people of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Testimony of Uighurs who experienced intense torture and brainwashing in Chinese concentration camps - GIGAZINE



According to Western diplomats and UN officials, the report released by Mr. Bachelet this time was completed several months ago. It is said that there was strong pressure from the Chinese government behind the long delay in the publication of the report.

Just hours before the release, China's ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun said, 'We have not read the report yet, but we firmly oppose such a report and do not think it is of any benefit to anyone. We know very well that the so-called Xinjiang issue is a politically-motivated and complete fabrication whose purpose is undoubtedly to undermine China's stability and hinder China's development. ” said.

In 2018, Mr. Bachelet, who was appointed as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with the aim of cutting into human rights issues in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, announced in September 2021, 'Useful information on allegations of serious human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.' We are making final adjustments with a view to public announcement.' In May 2022, I finally visited the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. However, there was criticism that the Chinese authorities had won a propaganda victory for positioning this visit as 'not an investigation'.


by UN Women

Still, following Ms. Bachelet's visit to the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, human rights groups around the world were eagerly awaiting the publication of the investigation report. I'm under a lot of pressure,' he said, revealing that he was in a difficult position.

As a result, the release of the report was once feared, but it was announced just minutes before Mr. Bachelet's retirement. Reyhan Assat, a lawyer who works on human rights issues for the people of Xinjiang, said of the report, 'China has the technical capabilities to conduct mass surveillance and be able to hide the truth from the international community. That's why I think this report is so important, because it sends a message to the Chinese government that they're watching closely.'

However, experts do not believe that this has brought all human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region to light. Further investigation is needed, said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch. That doesn't mean we're no longer accountable for what happened in the last five years.'

in Note, Posted by log1l_ks