Photo/Illutration U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet speaks to the media after her visit to Rohingya camps in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Aug. 17. (AP file photo)

The U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights recently published an assessment report on the situation in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

China has denied the allegations of repression on ethnic minorities in the western province of the country despite the numerous claims raised to date. The report recognized part of those allegations as being true and asserted that “serious human rights violations have been committed.”

The document carries so much weight, as it pointed out that there exist such forms of persecution as broadscale detention in camps, torture and other ill-treatment. The government of China should take action fairly and promptly on the issue.

The report says many ethnic Uighur residents were detained and placed in facilities ostensibly for “education and training.” Two-thirds of the 26 former detainees interviewed by the OHCHR were quoted as saying they had been subjected to inhuman treatment, such as being immobilized and beaten.

The report also said the extent of “arbitrary detention” may constitute “crimes against humanity.” It is so significant that a U.N. body has said, based on its own independent studies, that a grave offense against international law, which is on par with war crimes and other offenses, may have been committed.

The document “recommended” the government of China to release those detained, disclose information on missing individuals and make investigations. Beijing has the immediate responsibility to clarify the realities.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, however, described the report as a “patchwork of disinformation” and totally denied the allegations. The ministry even called the OHCHR an “accomplice of the United States and some Western forces” in openly challenging its legitimacy.

That is the last position that China should be taking as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

Beijing itself has, in fact, been calling for more emphasis to be placed on the United Nations and repeatedly expounded the importance of a U.N.-centered world order. It is selfish of China to change its attitude toward U.N. activities according to how they suit its own convenience.

Beijing, in the first place, has been trying to obstruct the investigations. Michelle Bachelet in May was the first U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit China in 17 years, but she was allowed to stay only for two days in Xinjiang, the autonomous region in question.

China continued to apply pressure afterward in an attempt to block the report from being released. Sources said the OHCHR received letters from 40 or so nations calling for not publishing the document.

The assessment report was released only at the last minute before Bachelet stepped down as head of the U.N. body overseeing human rights.

The Chinese authorities maintain they have always implemented an appropriate ethnic minority policy and taken appropriate measures against terrorism. They could allow the matter to be investigated freely if they have any objection to raise about the facts mentioned in the report.

China could never expect to build any credibility by just reacting angrily without disclosing information.

Washington, vying so intensely with Beijing for hegemony, has for some time been denouncing China over the Xinjiang issue, and Beijing has argued back vehemently at every denouncement.

At issue here, however, is a humanitarian crisis, which should be dealt with separately from a rivalry between great powers and from diplomatic horse trading.

The OHCHR should continue to gather as much information as possible on what is taking place in Xinjiang.

Leading nations of the world, including Japan, should draw on every available opportunity to call on China to respect human rights and seek ways to stop the repression of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities as soon as possible.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Sept. 4

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