Forty-three countries have called on China to “ensure full respect for the rule of law” for the Muslim Uighur community in Xinjiang, in a statement read at the United Nations on Thursday that sparked outrage from Beijing.
The
declaration, signed by the United States as well as several European
and Asian member states and others, accused China of a litany of human
rights violations against the Uighurs, including torture, forced sterilisation and forced disappearances.
“We
call on China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to
Xinjiang for independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights and her office,” the countries said in a joint
statement, read at the United Nations by France.
“We are
particularly concerned about the situation in the Xinjiang Uighur
Autonomous Region,” the statement continued, citing “credible” reports
that “indicate the existence of a large network of ‘political
reeducation’ camps where over a million people have been arbitrarily
detained.”
‘Emancipating people’
Beijing
has long denied accusations of ethnic cleansing against Uighurs and
other Muslim Turkic people in Xinjiang, where experts have estimated
that more than one million people are incarcerated in camps.
Its
ambassador to the United Nations Zhang Jun furiously denounced on
Thursday what he termed the “lies” and “a plot to hurt China”.
“Xinjiang enjoys development and the people are emancipating themselves every day and are proud of the progress made,” he said.
Up for a friendly visit
And
while Mr. Zhang told media that China was willing to host a “friendly”
visit to the region, he did not agree to an inquiry by the UN human
rights commissioner.
He accused Washington, Paris
and London of having a “terrible human rights record.” Beijing accused
the U.S. for “ethnic cleansing” against Native Americans and accused
France of committing “crimes against humanity” in its former colonies.
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