Energy News
THE STANS
UN rights chief says China violating 'fundamental rights' in Xinjiang, Tibet
UN rights chief says China violating 'fundamental rights' in Xinjiang, Tibet
by AFP Staff Writers
Geneva (AFP) March 4, 2024
UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Monday said China was violating fundamental rights in its Xinjiang and Tibet regions and called on Beijing to change course.

Turk, who has been criticised for not challenging China strongly enough over human rights, also asked Beijing to release rights defenders arrested under the "vague" offence of "picking quarrels and making trouble".

Turk called on Beijing to implement recommendations made by his office and other human rights bodies "in relation to laws, policies and practices that violate fundamental human rights, including in the Xinjiang and Tibet regions".

"I am engaging with the Hong Kong authorities on continuing concerns about national security laws," he added, in his global update to the UN Human Rights Council.

In the northwestern Xinjiang region, China is accused of incarcerating more than one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. Beijing vehemently rejects the charges.

A bombshell report by Turk's predecessor Michelle Bachelet -- released just minutes before her term ended in 2022 -- cited possible "crimes against humanity" in Xinjiang.

The report, flatly rejected by China, detailed "credible" evidence of torture, forced medical treatment and sexual or gender-based violence -- as well as forced labour.

But it stopped short of labelling Beijing's actions in Xinjiang a "genocide", as the United States and some Western lawmakers have done.

China denies allegations of abuse and insists it is running vocational training centres in Xinjiang which have helped to combat extremism and enhance development.

- 'Baseless allegations' -

Turk said his office was in talks with China on counter-terrorism policies, gender equality, minority protection, civic space, and economic, social and cultural rights.

"As we move forward, it is important that this dialogue yield concrete results," he said.

Turk recognised China's advances in development and in alleviating poverty, but urged that such policies be accompanied by reforms "to align relevant laws and policies with international human rights standards".

"I particularly encourage revision of the vague offence of 'picking quarrels and making trouble' in Article 293 of the Criminal Law, and I urge the release of human rights defenders, lawyers and others detained under such legislation," he said.

In response, China's ambassador Chen Xu called for countries to "resist the practice of using human rights as a pretext to interfere in internal affairs" and stop "imposing one's own values and development models on others".

"We are willing to carry out dialogue with all countries on human rights, but resist baseless allegations against my country, by any country."

In January, China received stinging criticism from Western countries during a regular review of its rights record at the United Nations, but other nations praised Beijing, including Russia and Iran.

Western countries highlighted a crackdown on civil liberties and a sweeping national security law imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 to quash dissent after pro-democracy protests.

Others voiced alarm at alleged efforts to erase cultural and religious identity in Tibet, and repression in Xinjiang.

China insisted it was making strides to improve the lives of its people, end poverty and protect rights. It has slammed critics for "politicising and weaponising" rights issues.

Related Links
News From Across The Stans

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
THE STANS
Polls for Iraq Kurd parliament further delayed to June
Arbil, Iraq (AFP) March 3, 2024
Iraqi Kurds announced Sunday that polls to elect a new parliament in the autonomous region would be held in June, after they were postponed from February because of political bickering. The elections have been delayed several times because of differences between the two main parties in northern Iraq, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which have failed to agree on changes to constituency boundaries. Regional president Nechirvan Barzani signed the ord ... read more

THE STANS
Greenhouse gas repurposed in University of Auckland experiments

Inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels are finally possible

Watching the enzymes that convert plant fiber into simple sugars

Microbial division of labor produces higher biofuel yields

THE STANS
Crown Ethers Enhance Perovskite Solar Cells, Preventing Lead Leakage

Guiding future research on 'extraordinary potential' of next-generation solar cells

Study unlocks nanoscale secrets for designing next-generation solar cells

Paderborn University's Hawk-Powered Breakthrough Aims to Boost Solar Cell Efficiency

THE STANS
Wind-powered Dutch ship sets sail for greener future

Leaf-shaped generators create electricity from the wind and rain

European offshore wind enjoys record year in 2023

Danish firm to build huge wind farm off UK

THE STANS
Sounding warning, Kerry urges new ways on climate finance

Sri Lanka awards energy deal to India after rejecting China

Climate perils costing US 0.4% of its GDP: Swiss Re

World needs 'trillions' for climate action: COP28 president

THE STANS
Tests show high-temperature superconducting magnets are ready for fusion

Power when the sun doesn't shine

UK 'net zero' economy bucks recession: study

Rwanda signs lithium deal with Rio Tinto

THE STANS
Hanoi chokes as Vietnam capital tops most polluted cities list

Venezuela military evicts hundreds from illegal gold mine

Cargo ship sunk by Huthi strike poses environmental risk: US military

French police arrest eight activists targeting chemicals site

THE STANS
Vessel targeted off Yemen: security firm

Oil spills pile on pressure for Iraq's farmers

British navy ship repels Huthi rebel attack: minister

Climate crisis prompts Biden to halt new gas export facilities

THE STANS
Little Groundwater Recharge in Ancient Mars Aquifer, According to New Models

Three years later, search for life on Mars continues

Mining Into Mineral King: Sols 4110-4111

Confirmation of ancient lake on Mars builds excitement for Perseverance rover's samples

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2026 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.