The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Office (OHCHR) stated on Tuesday (August 27) that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to implement “problematic laws and policies” in Xinjiang, leading to widespread allegations of human rights violations.
Two months ago, a United Nations group visited China and discussed China’s criminal justice system, counter-terrorism policies, and human rights concerns in Hong Kong with CCP officials.
OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani stated in a press release that “many problematic laws and policies still exist, particularly concerning Xinjiang.”
She emphasized the need for authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of the legal framework regarding national security and counter-terrorism from a human rights perspective and to enhance the protection of minorities from discrimination.
Shamdasani stressed that the CCP “needs to conduct a comprehensive investigation into human rights violations, including allegations of torture.”
The statement also noted that the Human Rights Office continues to face challenges in monitoring China due to limited sources of information and concerns about retaliation against individuals in contact with the United Nations.
Many human rights organizations accuse the CCP of mass detainment and abuse of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang, including forced labor. The CCP denies these allegations, claiming the actions are aimed at combating terrorism.
Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer at the Atlantic Council, stated that oppressive laws are still in effect, forming the basis for mass imprisonment and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and other Turkic people.
She emphasized that little to no progress has been made since the OHCHR report was issued two years ago.
The Human Rights Office released a report in August 2022, alleging that the CCP committed a series of atrocities against Uyghurs, including forced sterilization, arbitrary detention, and mass surveillance, potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
Other United Nations expert committees have also issued reports accusing the CCP of human rights violations.
On Tuesday, the international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that Uyghurs continue to face unjust treatment two years after a crucial UN human rights report was published, calling on the UN to address CCP’s crimes against humanity.
In a statement, HRW expressed that over the past two years, the Chinese government has completely disregarded calls to end its severe oppression in Xinjiang, including widespread arbitrary detentions, torture, enforced disappearances, mass surveillance, cultural and religious persecution, family separation, forced labor, sexual violence, and reproductive rights deprivation.
“Tens of thousands of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities are still improperly detained. Those residing abroad are nearly unable to contact their relatives within China,” the statement read.
Sophie Richardson, HRW’s Asia director, urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and UN member states to take robust follow-up measures.
“The UN Human Rights Office and governments worldwide must collaborate to challenge the impunity of the Chinese government,” Richardson stated. “The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should make it clear that no government, no matter how powerful, can escape such serious international accountability.”