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China says 'willing to engage' with UN rights body on Xinjiang

The UN rights office warned that "problematic" policies persist in Xinjiang, two years after its bombshell report citing possible "crimes against humanity" in the region.

28 Aug 2024 05:52pm
This picture taken on July 19, 2023 shows a view of a watchtower of an alleged detention facility in Artux in Kizilsu Prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang region. Since 2017, more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims have been swept into internment camps where human rights abuses are commonplace, researchers, campaigners and members of the diaspora say. - (Photo by PEDRO PARDO / AFP)
This picture taken on July 19, 2023 shows a view of a watchtower of an alleged detention facility in Artux in Kizilsu Prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang region. Since 2017, more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslims have been swept into internment camps where human rights abuses are commonplace, researchers, campaigners and members of the diaspora say. - (Photo by PEDRO PARDO / AFP)
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BEIJING - China said Wednesday it was "willing to engage" with the UN Human Rights Office over its northwestern region of Xinjiang but rejected efforts to "smear" its policies there.

The UN rights office (OHCHR) warned on Tuesday that "problematic" policies persist in Xinjiang, two years after its bombshell report citing possible "crimes against humanity" in the region.

China has been accused of incarcerating more than a million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in Xinjiang, charges Beijing vehemently rejects.

The OHCHR demanded this week that Chinese authorities "undertake a full review" of the legal requirements pertaining to national security and counter-terrorism, as well as guarding minorities against discrimination.

Beijing's foreign ministry defended its policies in the region at a news briefing on Wednesday.

"Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development and its people live in peace and prosperity," spokesman Lin Jian said.

"China is willing to engage in constructive exchanges and cooperation with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the basis of mutual respect," he said.

He urged the rights office to "perform its duties impartially and objectively" and warned it against the "politicisation of human rights and divisive confrontational actions".

"It should not be exploited by political forces seeking to suppress or smear China," Lin said. - AFP

UN Human Rights Office
OHCHR
China
Xinjiang
crimes against humanity
Uyghurs
Muslim minorities
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