UN human rights chief ‘determined’ to engage China on Uighurs report
Report issued by predecessor said China’s treatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region may constitute crimes against humanity.
09 December 2022 - 13:20
byEmma Farge
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
A police officer checks the ID card of a man in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China. Picture: REUTERS/THOMAS PETER
Geneva — UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday he was determined to engage with Beijing over the findings of a report issued by his predecessor that said China’s treatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region may constitute crimes against humanity.
Grappling with the human rights record of powerful ‘P5’ Security Council member China is one of the thorniest issues facing the new high commissioner since he started in October.
Beijing pressured Turk’s predecessor, Michelle Bachelet, not to publish the report, Reuters revealed, and she only did so within a few minutes of the end of her term.
“The report that was issued on August 31 is a very important one and has highlighted very serious human rights concerns,” Turk told reporters at a Geneva briefing in his first public comments on the matter since taking office.
“I will personally continue engaging with the authorities. I’m very determined to do so,” he said, adding that “hope springs eternal.”
China, which denies the Xinjiang allegations, has previously indicated that it would close the door to co-operation with the UN human rights office after the report’s release.
A Western-led effort to launch a debate on the Xinjiang report at the Human Rights Council failed in October amid heavy lobbying against it from China.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
UN human rights chief ‘determined’ to engage China on Uighurs report
Report issued by predecessor said China’s treatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region may constitute crimes against humanity.
Geneva — UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday he was determined to engage with Beijing over the findings of a report issued by his predecessor that said China’s treatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in its Xinjiang region may constitute crimes against humanity.
Grappling with the human rights record of powerful ‘P5’ Security Council member China is one of the thorniest issues facing the new high commissioner since he started in October.
Beijing pressured Turk’s predecessor, Michelle Bachelet, not to publish the report, Reuters revealed, and she only did so within a few minutes of the end of her term.
“The report that was issued on August 31 is a very important one and has highlighted very serious human rights concerns,” Turk told reporters at a Geneva briefing in his first public comments on the matter since taking office.
“I will personally continue engaging with the authorities. I’m very determined to do so,” he said, adding that “hope springs eternal.”
China, which denies the Xinjiang allegations, has previously indicated that it would close the door to co-operation with the UN human rights office after the report’s release.
A Western-led effort to launch a debate on the Xinjiang report at the Human Rights Council failed in October amid heavy lobbying against it from China.
Reuters
China gets away with avoiding more scrutiny of Uyghur treatment
UN human rights head ends her tenure on a mixed note
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
UN human rights head ends her tenure on a mixed note
Peru legislators impeach President Castillo after move to dissolve Congress
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.