China calls for ‘constructive’ dialogue with UN over Xinjiang

ANKARA

China on Wednesday called for "constructive" dialogue and cooperation with the UN regarding allegations of human rights violations in its northwestern Xinjiang province.

“The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) should perform its duties impartially and objectively, respect the sovereignty of all countries, and engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation with all nations,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, as reported by the Global Times.

Lin urged the OHCHR to avoid the politicization of human rights and actions that could promote division and confrontation. He emphasized that the UN body should not allow itself to be used by political forces attempting to "contain and smear China."

His remarks referred to ongoing allegations of cultural and religious discrimination against Uyghur Muslims by Chinese authorities, which Beijing denies.

On Tuesday, the OHCHR stated that allegations of human rights violations, including torture in Xinjiang, need to be "fully" investigated.

“We understand that many problematic laws and policies remain in place, and we have called again on the authorities to undertake a full review, from the human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and counter-terrorism and to strengthen the protection of minorities against discrimination,” the OHCHR said in a statement.

The High Commissioner emphasized a commitment to sustained engagement with the Chinese government, advocating for victims, and aiming to improve human rights protections on the ground.

Xinjiang, an autonomous region in China, is home to 10 million Uyghurs, a Turkic Muslim group that makes up 45% of the region’s population.

China’s call for dialogue comes months after a UN special rapporteur called for an end to sanctions on China, highlighting the “multifaceted negative” impacts of such restrictions, including on jobs, Chinese students, and academic cooperation with US and European institutions.

Alena Douhan, the UN special rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures and human rights, visited China in May this year. She is expected to present China’s report to the Human Rights Council in September.