Of them governmentt following the recent publication of a long-awaited report by the UN human rights office, OHCHRfound that “grave human rights violations” were committed against the Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim communities there.
Support for the United Nations report
To support the assessment, the experts emphasize the conclusion, which states “the extent of arbitrary detention and discrimination against members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim minorities… may constitute international crimes, especially crimes against humanity”.
They draw attention to reports of credible allegations of torture or ill-treatment.
These include forced medical treatment and adverse detention conditions, as well as cases of sexual and gender-based violence such as invasive gynecological examinations, and signs of coercive enforcement of planning policies. family and birth control.
They also welcome attention to the widespread abuse of anti-terrorism and counter-extremism laws, policies and practices.
Policies restricting rights
Experts are particularly concerned that both UN human rights mechanisms, together with the report, have demonstrated that China’s policies and practices have limited the legitimate enforcement of many human rights.
Among them are the rights of religions and ethnic minorities to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their religion, or to use their own language.
The experts said they “support all recommendations made by the United Nations Office for Human Rights”, while offering support to facilitate their implementation”.
Session of the Human Rights Council
They called on the Chinese government to invite UN human rights officers to the country, and affirmed their willingness to make visits as well as provide assistance and technical assistance to the authorities.
The experts also echoed their appeal to the UN Dong Nhan Quyen Association convened a special session on China, originally released in a statement in June 2020.
They said the session should be held “precisely because of legitimate issues of concern, in particular arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, travel restrictions, privacy, freedom of religion, because of the speech that is happening in other parts of the country on national security grounds”.
The Human Rights Council urgently needs to consider establishing a mandate, or panel of experts, to closely monitor, analyze and report on the human rights situation in China, they added, while the General Assembly The United Nations or the Secretary-General should consider establishing a special envoy.
They also called on UN member states, UN agencies and businesses to demand that China fulfill its human rights obligations, including in ongoing dialogues with the Government.
About UN Independent Experts
The panel of experts that signed the statement included the Special Rapporteur or members of the working groups appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
They have been tasked with monitoring and reporting on various human rights concerns around the world.
Independent experts act in their own capacity and are not employees of the United Nations nor are they paid for their work.
