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More than 40 countries call on China to give UN human rights chief access to Xinjiang
- Joint statement read out by Canadian ambassador urges Beijing to let independent observers into region
- Michelle Bachelet on Monday said she hoped to agree terms for a visit this year to look into reports of serious violations against Uygurs
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More than 40 countries urged China on Tuesday to allow the UN human rights chief immediate access to the Xinjiang region to look into reports that more than a million people have been unlawfully detained there, some subjected to torture or forced labour.
The joint statement on China was read out by Canadian ambassador Leslie Norton on behalf of countries including Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and the United States to the UN Human Rights Council.
Beijing denies all allegations of abuse of Uygurs and describes the camps as vocational training facilities to combat religious extremism.
“Credible reports indicate that over a million people have been arbitrarily detained in Xinjiang and that there is widespread surveillance disproportionately targeting Uygurs and members of other minorities and restrictions on fundamental freedoms and Uygur culture,” the joint statement said.
“We urge China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including the high commissioner,” it added, referring to Michelle Bachelet.
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Canada leads call by more than 40 countries for China to give UN access to Xinjiang
Canada leads call by more than 40 countries for China to give UN access to Xinjiang
Bachelet told the council on Monday that she hoped to agree on terms for a visit this year to China, including Xinjiang, to examine reports of serious violations against Muslim Uygurs.
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