China defends Sri Lanka's human rights record at UNHRC, cites 'internal affairs'

In an expression of extending support to Sri Lanka at United Nations Human Rights Council as at least six member states signed a resolution raising concerns over human rights situation in island country, Beijing on Friday said that 'use of human rights issues to intervene in internal affairs of or countries is not acceptable.'

statement by Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry comes after Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena's reaction to a resolution to hold Sri Lanka accountable for ir human rights record. He was referring to issues raised by UN Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet last month, who h demanded an 'international criminal court probe into Sri Lanka's Tamil separatist conflict, and sanctions against top generals and ors accused of war crimes.

Allegations raised by Bachelet include actions to be taken against violators of rights' during last phase of 37-year-old armed conflict in Sri Lanka, with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), that ended in 2009. She furr alleged that 12 years after conflict ended, Sri Lankan government has failed to deliver justice for war victims and promote reconciliation.

RE | 12 Japanese To Suspend Business Deals Involving Forced Uyghur Labour In China's Xinjiang

Gunawardena was dressing 46th regular session of UNHRC earlier this week where he denied allegations raised by Bachelet and said that accusations against Sri Lanka were 'politically motivated'. China's Wenbin dressed a query on Sri Lanka's rights record and was quoted by PTI as saying "We appreciate Sri Lanka's efforts to encourage human rights and economic development, to conserve vulnerable groups and vance national reconciliation, and fight against terrorism."

"We are against applying double standards or utilising same to interfere in affairs of or nations," Wenbin ded. He n referred to UN charter that urges member states to respect a nation's sovereignty and political independence' and demanded that member states mustn't interfere in internal matters of island nation.

China is facing global outrage for its alleged 'brutality on Uyghurs, a religious minority settled in Western province Xinjiang. While last year China got elected in 47-member UNHRC, member states along with UN have repeatedly condemned way China has treated Uyghurs, in "detention centers that it calls re-education camps to correct Uyghurs".

 RE | UK Wants UN Investigators To Be Given Urgent Access To Uyghur Camps In China's Xinjiang

However, Foreign Minister of China Wanh Yi dressed UNHRC on February 23 and claimed that re are no oppressed classes in China. Reacting to allegations over 'genocide in XinJiang',  Yi ded "Genocide, forced labour, and religious oppression was never re in China. se are claims sensationalised and rooted in ignorance, prejudice and are purely slanderous political hype. UN human rights chief can come to visit region himself," Yi h said.

RE | US 'deeply Disturbed' With Reports Of Rape, Sexual Abuse Against Uyghur Women In Xinjiang

RE | Uyghur Refugee Gulbahar Haitiwaji Recalls Her Tormenting Days In Chinese Camps