China’s actions in Xinjiang merit special human rights session, UN experts say after explosive report

Independent rapporteurs recommend dedicated envoy to monitor rights conditions in country following finding of possible crimes against humanity

China’s policies restrict rights of Uygurs in autonomous region, ranging from religious freedom to reproduction, group contends

Reading Time:4 minutes

Ethnic Uygur men protesting against China in Istanbul, Turkey, in January. Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:55am, 8 Sep 2022Updated: 5:38am, 8 Sep 2022

The United Nations has been urged to convene a special session of its Human Rights Council to discuss last week’s explosive report that found China may have committed “crimes against humanity” in the western region of Xinjiang.

A group of UN-appointed experts recommended the creation of a special envoy to monitor rights conditions in China, saying the world must not “turn a blind eye” to the “systematic human rights violations” in the region.

“They urge UN Member States and UN agencies and business enterprises to demand that China fulfils its human rights obligations, including during their ongoing dialogues with the government,” read a statement issued on Wednesday by 45 independent UN-appointed experts.

The signatories mostly comprised rapporteurs with expertise spanning human rights and counterterrorism, torture and people trafficking, modern slavery, involuntary disappearances and religious freedom.

Police officers stand outside Urumqi No 3 Detention Center in western China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Photo: AP

The statement was organised by Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x