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Tuesday, October 8, 2024

China’s Human Rights Policies Under Global Scrutiny at UN Review

UK and US Lead Criticism on Uyghur, Tibet, and Hong Kong Issues

China faced rare scrutiny over its human rights record at the United Nations as the UK, the US, and several other nations spoke out against its policies during the Universal Periodic Review.

UK’s Call for Ceasing Persecution and Arbitrary Detention

The UK urged China to halt the persecution and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Tibetans, emphasizing the need for genuine freedom of religion, cultural expression, and the cessation of surveillance, torture, forced labor, or sexual violence.

US’s Demand for Release and Cease of Assimilation Policies

The US called for the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and the end of forcible assimilation policies, highlighting concerns about boarding schools in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Specific Calls Regarding Hong Kong

The UK recommended the repeal of the national security law in Hong Kong and specifically called for dropping the prosecution of pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.

UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review

Mchanism for Regular Human Rights Record Assessment

The Universal Periodic Review, conducted every five years, allows the 193 UN member states to review each other’s human rights records. During this process, countries provide recommendations based on the human rights situation in the reviewed nation.

Limited Time for Recommendations

Each country participating in the UN meeting had 45 seconds to make recommendations based on China’s human rights records since 2018. This period witnessed significant events, including the imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong and increased scrutiny of human rights in Xinjiang.

China’s Response and Ambassador’s Statement

Denial and Accusations of Misunderstanding

China’s UN ambassador, Chen Xu, responded to the recommendations, attributing concerns to “misunderstanding or misinformation.” He accused a few countries of baseless accusations and smears grounded in ideological bias and unfounded rumors.

Dismissal of UN’s Report on Xinjiang

Chen Xu dismissed the UN’s report on Xinjiang, published in August 2022, as “disinformation.” The report, authored by outgoing human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet, highlighted “serious human rights violations” against Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

Global Perspectives and Divergent Opinions

Countries Criticizing China’s Policies

Several countries, including the UK and the US, voiced criticism of China’s policies in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. The long-delayed UN report on Xinjiang was a focal point in this year’s review.

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Praise from Economically Dependent Nations

Countries economically dependent on China, such as Ethiopia and Iran, praised China’s rights record, emphasizing achievements in poverty alleviation. Smaller nations, including Bhutan, commended China’s progress in various areas.

Activists’ Concerns and Criticisms

Concerns About Chinese Government Influence

Human rights activists, including Sophie Richardson, expressed concerns about Chinese government rhetoric influencing recommendations. They highlighted a perceived level of control over the process, indicating potential influence.

Criticism of Central Asian Countries

Zumretay Arkin, spokesperson for the World Uyghur Conference, criticized central Asian countries for their silence on the abuse of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other minorities in Xinjiang. Muslim-majority countries were said to have failed the Uyghurs.

China’s Foreign Ministry’s Response

No Response Yet

China’s foreign ministry has not yet responded to the criticisms and recommendations raised during the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review.

Lillian Hocker
Lillian Hocker
Lillian Hocker is a seasoned technology journalist and analyst, specializing in the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital culture. With over a decade of experience, Lillian has contributed insightful articles to leading tech publications. Her work dives deep into emerging technologies, startup ecosystems, and the impact of digital transformation on industries worldwide. Prior to her career in journalism, she worked as a software engineer at a Silicon Valley startup, giving her firsthand experience of the tech industry's rapid evolution.

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