At UN body, 22 nations urge China to end Xinjiang detentions

 

GENEVA, July 11: Human Rights Watch says 22 Western countries have issued a statement urging China to end mass arbitrary detentions and other violations against Uighurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang region.

The advocacy group hailed the “important” statement at the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council, which amounts to a symbolic step toward greater expression of concern about China’s policies in Xinjiang.

The signatories issued the statement as a “letter” at the council, and stopped short of seeking a council resolution — a testament to the challenges of building support against increasingly influential China.

Rights groups and the United States estimate up to 1 million Muslims may be arbitrarily detained in Xinjiang.

China denies widespread abuse in the detention centers and calls them training schools aimed to combat extremism and provide employable skills.

(AGENCIES)

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here