China’s claims of human rights progress in Xinjiang ‘flimsy propaganda’, say pressure groups
Pressure groups criticise government white paper lauding ‘great progress’ in promoting human rights in the region
“Great progress” has been achieved in promoting human rights in Xinjiang under Communist Party rule, the Chinese government said in a white paper issued on Thursday, despite growing criticism among rights and exile groups who accuse Beijing of enforcing sweeping social control measures and placing restrictions on religious practice in the region.
The white paper, “Human Rights in Xinjiang – Development and Progress”, lauded improvements in a wide range of areas in the far western region since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, from political, civil, economic, social, cultural, environmental and religious rights.
However, it drew strong criticism from rights groups, who slammed the paper for being methodologically flawed and called its claims “flimsy pieces of propaganda ... detached from the reality on the ground”.
The publication of the report comes as hundreds have died in attacks in the region in recent years which the authorities have blamed on Muslim separatist militants.
Rights groups say government repression of religious freedoms and unfair ethnic policies have contributed to the rise in tensions and violence, allegations the government denies.