UK demands UN address human rights violations in China

At the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said that the UNHRC must address the human rights violations in China stating that the international body does not “consistently” pinpoint areas of the prevalence of the most pressing human rights issues.

“Like any institution, we know the Council is not perfect. Some members do not meet the human rights standards we vow to uphold. And the Council’s agenda does not consistently reflect where the most pressing human rights issues are. We need to address that, as well as other institutional concerns. For our part, the UK will continue to engage with all sides to find ways to do so,” Raab said.

He also slammed China saying that the human rights situation in Xinjiang “is beyond pale”.

He said that London stands with the “growing number of international partners, UN experts and NGOs” concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation “that we see in China. No one can ignore the evidence anymore.”

“We see almost daily reports now that shine a new light on China’s systematic human rights violations perpetrated against Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in Xinjiang. The situation in Xinjiang is beyond the pale. The reported abuses – which include torture, forced labour and forced sterilisation of women – are extreme and they are extensive,” he said.

Raab further pointed out that the National Security Law imposed by Beijing is having “a chilling effect” on personal freedom.

“In Hong Kong, the rights of the people are being systematically violated. The National Security Law is a clear breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and is having a chilling effect on personal freedoms. Free and fair legislative elections must take place, with a range of opposition voices allowed to take part,” Raab said.

He also pointed out that in Tibet, the situation remains deeply concerning, with access still heavily restricted.

Raab demanded that UN mechanisms must respond calls for urgent and unfettered access to Xinjiang.

“The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, or another independent fact-finding expert, must – and I repeat must – be given urgent and unfettered access to Xinjiang,” he added.