China keen to keep Xinjiang, Uygurs off agenda at UN Human Rights Council forum
- Western nations look to Turkey, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to shine spotlight on China’s ‘re-education and training facilities’ in far western region
- Turkish foreign minister earlier called camps a ‘great shame for humanity’
Western countries are looking to Turkey and other members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to shine a spotlight on what China calls re-education and training facilities in its far western Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
UN experts have said the camps hold 1 million Uygurs, who speak a Turkic language, and other Muslims. China has rejected accusations of mistreatment.
While the 47-member council’s resolutions are not binding, all countries work hard to avoid its “naming and shaming”. China is especially sensitive to criticism, which it views as interference.
Turkey, whose Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu is due to address the Geneva forum on Monday, urged China this month to close its camps, calling them a “great shame for humanity”.
“It’s up to the OIC. If they don’t take the lead, it’s very hard for other countries,” one Asian ambassador said.