The August 31, 2022, report said violations occurred in the context of the government’s claim that it was targeting Uyghur minority terrorists as part of a counter-extremism strategy, using so-called Vocational Education and Training Centers (VETCs) or re-education camps.
Detailed exchanges and dialogue
In an update for reporters, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office have had detailed exchanges with the Chinese government on crucial issues.
Topics included counter-terrorism laws and policies, criminal justice, and other policies that impact the human rights of ethnic and religious minorities, including in Xinjiang and the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Attention was also paid to equality and non-discrimination, as well as concerns about national security and human rights in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Ms Shamdasani stressed that a UN human rights team visited China in June and engaged with the authorities, particularly on counter-terrorism policies and the criminal justice system.
Revise laws, investigate allegations
“Particularly with regard to Xinjiang, we understand that there are still many problematic laws and policies in placeand we have again called on the authorities to a complete revision, from a human rights perspective, of the legal framework governing national security and the fight against terrorism and to strengthen the protection of minorities against discrimination. Allegations of human rights violations, including torture, must be fully investigated“, she said.
OHCHR hopes to continue its active engagement with the Chinese government and civil society, “to achieve tangible progress in the protection of human rights for all in China,” she added.
The Office also continues to closely monitor the current human rights situation in the country.despite the difficulties caused by limited access to information and the fear of reprisals against individuals who are concerned with the United Nations.”
“We have continued to raise individual cases of particular concern with the government and have called on the authorities to take urgent steps to release all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty and to clarify the status and whereabouts of those whose families have requested information about them,” she said.
Commitment to put in the effort
Meanwhile, calls continue for China to implement these and other recommendations of the OHCHR and other human rights mechanisms.
Ms Shamdasani concluded with the words of UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk:is committed to continued engagement with the Chinese government and to advocating for the interests of victims – always guided by the aim of helping to improve the protection of human rights for people on the ground.”