The Elders respond to UN assessment of human rights violations in Xinjiang, China

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A meeting at the UN Human Rights Council

1 September 2022

Following the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) assessment of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Elders express their concern and stress the gravity of the report’s findings.

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said:

“The findings of the OHCHR report on human rights violations targeting the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China are a matter of grave concern for the whole international community. Any measures with the purported aim of combatting terrorism and violent extremism must be consistent with human rights and the international rule of law, in China as in every other country.

“OHCHR’s finding that the extent of violations may constitute crimes against humanity should serve as a wake-up call to the whole world to uphold universal human rights and end impunity for those who violate them. The Government of China must work constructively with OHCHR to take forward the recommendations of the report and bring an end to these shocking violations.”