Statement by the Spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand on the so-called “Assessment” on Xinjiang issued by the OHCHR

2022-09-02 07:03

On 31 August, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released the so-called “assessment” on Xinjiang, China. This so-called “assessment” is orchestrated and produced by the US and some Western forces and is completely illegal, null and void. It is a patchwork of disinformation that serves as a political tool for the US and some Western forces to strategically use Xinjiang to contain China. The OHCHR fabricated the assessment based on the political scheme of some anti-China forces outside China. This seriously violates the mandate of the OHCHR and the principles of universality, objectivity, non-selectivity and non-politicization. It once again shows that the OHCHR has been reduced to an enforcer and accomplice of the US and some Western forces in forcing the developing countries to fall into line with them. The fact that this assessment, despite its illegality and zero credibility, did not go so far as to play up false allegations such as “genocide”, “forced labor”, “religious oppression” and “forced sterilization” shows that the lies of the century concocted by the US and some Western forces have already collapsed. 

Xinjiang has taken actions to fight terrorism and extremism in accordance with the law, effectively curbing the frequent occurrences of terrorist activities. Of all people, the people in Xinjiang, whatever their ethnic backgrounds, are in the best position to tell the world what the human rights conditions are like in Xinjiang. In recent years, Xinjiang has enjoyed sustained economic growth, social harmony and stability, better living standards, cultures thriving like never before, freedom of religious beliefs and religious harmony. It is the greatest human rights protection and the best human rights practice. 

In Xinjiang, people from ethnic minorities, religious figures, workers, and those who graduated from the vocational and education training centers, among others, have voluntarily written to the High Commissioner for Human Rights about their own experience to present the real Xinjiang. International friends who have been to Xinjiang said what they saw with their own eyes in Xinjiang is completely different from what has been reported by Western media or portrayed by anti-China forces. More than 60 countries who care about truth and justice have sent a co-signed letter to the High Commissioner to express their opposition to the release of this untrue assessment. Nearly 1,000 non-governmental organizations from across the world and people from various walks of life in Xinjiang have written to the High Commissioner to express their opposition. In recent years, nearly 100 countries, including Muslim countries, have spoken up at the Human Rights Council, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly and on other public occasions to support China's legitimate position on issues including Xinjiang and oppose interference in China's internal affairs in the name of so-called Xinjiang-related issues. They are the mainstream of the international community. The US and some Western forces seek to destabilize Xinjiang and use it to contain China. This unjust, pernicious political agenda will not have people's support and will only end in failure. Out of purposes of refuting lies and clarifying truths, China provides the OHCHR with a report entitled Fight against Terrorism and Extremism in Xinjiang: Truth and Fact (see attached).  

China believes that international human rights cooperation must be conducted on the basis of equality and mutual respect. International human rights bodies must respect objective facts and the human rights development path independently chosen by each State in light of its own reality and people's needs, abandon double standards and refrain from interfering in the sovereignty and internal affairs of Member States under the pretext of human rights. They should stand on the side of equity and justice, be truly committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all peoples, and genuinely promote dialogues and cooperation. That is the only way to support the sound development of the international human rights course.