The two-year anniversary of a landmark UN report accusing China of possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang has sparked renewed calls for action from human rights groups and the United Nations. The report, released in August 2022 by then-UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, detailed allegations of widespread repression and arbitrary detention targeting Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the region.
While the report was met with hope by many, including Yalkun Uluyol, who had been searching for his father since 2018, the subsequent lack of progress has fueled frustration. Uluyol, a researcher living in Istanbul, received news that his father had been sentenced to 16 years in prison in Xinjiang, a move he believes was linked to his Uyghur identity. He, along with numerous human rights advocates, believe China has not adequately addressed the concerns raised in the report.
China has vehemently denied any abuses in Xinjiang, issuing a detailed response defending its record. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, reiterated this week that China fully protects the rights of all ethnic groups. However, advocates remain unconvinced and are pushing for concrete action from the UN.
Uluyol and others are urging the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to increase pressure on China. They argue that his approach of “engaging with China” has not been sufficient and are seeking more decisive steps. Prominent rights advocate Kenneth Roth has even described Turk’s approach as “timid.”
The 2022 report explicitly stated that the scale of arbitrary and discriminatory detention in Xinjiang may constitute an international crime. Turk has repeatedly called for action from China since assuming his position, and his office has acknowledged that “many problematic laws and policies remain in place” in Xinjiang.
While Turk’s supporters argue that his strategy of balancing public criticism with private engagement could ultimately lead to reforms, others are demanding more. Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, believes the UN office should issue an update on the situation in Xinjiang and present a concrete action plan to hold those responsible accountable. Wang also calls for states to act at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva this September.
The anniversary of the report has underscored the ongoing concerns regarding the human rights situation in Xinjiang. As the international community awaits concrete action from both China and the UN, the fate of those arbitrarily detained and the future of human rights in Xinjiang remain uncertain.
