China and West clash over claims Beijing oppresses Uighurs

China and West clashed at U.N. human rights committee Tuesday over claims that Beijing systematically oppresses ethnic mirity Muslims in far western Xinjiang province.

China questioned on human rights

Belarus re a statement on behalf of 54 countries commending “China’s remarkable achievements in field of human rights” and taking te “that terrorism, separatism and religious extremism has caused ermous dam to people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang, which has seriously infringed upon human rights, including right to life, health, and development.” Britain re a statement on behalf of 23 countries that shared concerns with Committee for Elimination of Racial Discrimination about “credible reports” of mass detention, “efforts to restrict cultural and religious practices, mass surveillance disproportionately targeting ethnic Uighurs, and or human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang Uighur Automous Region.”

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clash continues 

clash in General Assembly’s human rights committee continued afterward at separate press briefings by opposing sides. More than one million Uighurs have been detained in camps since 2017 and criticism has grown over ir internment, as well as that of or Muslims. China’s government insists detention sites are “vocational” centers aimed at training and skills development. In a report earlier this year to counter criticism of internment camps and or oppressive security in tritionally Islamic region, China said it h arrested nearly 13,000 people it described as “terrorists” and h broken up hundreds of “terrorist gangs” in Xinjiang since 2014.

Belarus statement — whose supporters include Pakistan, Russia, and Egypt — backed China’s “counter-terrorism and dericalization measures in Xinjiang, including setting up vocational education and training centers.” It ted that re has t been a single “terrorist attack” in Xinjiang in past three years “and people re enjoy a stronger sense of happiness, fulfillment, and security.”

Western statement — whose supporters include United States., France and Germany — called on Chinese government to respect human rights including freedom of religion in Xinjiang and throughout China, and to urgently implement Committee for Elimination of Racial Discrimination’s recommendations “including by refraining from arbitrary detention of Uighurs and members of or Muslim communities.” It also called on China to allow U.N. rights experts “unfettered, meaningful access to Xinjiang.” Britain’s U.N. Ambassor Karen Pierce, U.S. Ambassor Kelly Craft, and German Ambassor Christoph Heusgen n spoke to reporters.

y said resolution on Uighurs has been proposed for option by General Assembly’s human rights committee, but Pierce said: “This will t be last we’ve heard of this important issue.” Craft said: “ United States condemns detainment of over one million Uighurs and will continue to work closely with our partners to condemn violations of human rights matter where y occur.”

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Heusgen said what’s needed w is for U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet to be allowed “unimpeded access to all detention camps,” ding that he didn’t kw why China won’t allow unimpeded access.

China’s U.N. Ambassor Zhang Jun, speaking to a group of reporters shortly after, said government has invited Bachelet to visit China, including Xinjiang, many times, and is in contact with her office. He accused Western nations of exerting “pressure over U.N. officials” t to visit.

Zhang was also critical of Western countries continuing to raise Uighur issue.

“ country is perfect on human rights. It’s natural that we have different understanding, we have differences,” he said.

But Zhang said differences should be discussed and hopefully narrowed through dialogue.

“What’s certain is that a confrontational approach les to where,” he said. “body will win through such confrontational practices.”

Zhang indicated Uighur issue could also impact U.S.-China tre talks where re has been progress.

“it’s hard to imagine that on one hand, you are trying to seek to have a tre deal and on or hand you are making use of any issues, especially human rights issues, to blame or,” he said. “I do t think it’s helpful for having a good solution to issue of tre talks.”

U.S. ambassor Craft, asked about possible impact on tre talks, replied: “Well I would be standing here regardless if it was China, wherever it is. Wherever re are human rights abuses, we would be here in defense of those that are suffering.”

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