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US, UK seek UN human rights debate about China’s Uighurs and other Muslims
Countries including the United States and the United Kingdom have called for a debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council to discuss concerns about China’s treatment of Uighurs and other Muslims in the far western region of Xinjiang, a document showed Monday (Sep 26) and diplomats said.
A group of countries are considering action at an ongoing council meeting in Geneva after a much-anticipated UN report released last month said there were “serious human rights violations” in Xinjiang that could amount to crimes against humanity.
China strongly denies any abuse and has sent a government delegation to Geneva to counter claims of flawed findings by the UN rights office, saying it is “ready to fight” if action is taken against it.
The so-called “draft decision” reviewed by Reuters seeks a debate during the council’s next session starting in February.
The 47-member council is deeply divided over the latest accusation against China, a ‘P5’ member with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council that has deep economic ties to many developing countries.
Calling a debate is seen as a less confrontational option than a resolution that could seek an investigation into the Xinjiang allegations.
Uyghurs urge UN rights chief Bachelet to ask hard questions in Xinjiang region
The Uyghurs are the largest minority ethnic group in China's north-western province of Xinjiang.
China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of Xinjiang.
levantnews-tnewsdesk
