GENEVA – Human rights groups and the United Nations are marking the two-year anniversary of a landmark UN report on August 31, 2022, which suggested that China may have committed crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Activists and affected families are expressing deep frustration over the lack of concrete action following the report.
The report, released by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet just before her term ended, provided detailed accounts of arbitrary detentions and abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in the Xinjiang region. Despite the report’s findings, which included a call for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained, little has changed on the ground, according to rights advocates.
Yalkun Uluyol, a 30-year-old Uyghur researcher living in Istanbul, spoke about his initial hope when the report was published, believing it might lead to the release of his father, who disappeared in 2018 and was later sentenced to 16 years in a Xinjiang prison. “I was very happy when the report was out. But now I feel like, yes, you released a report, but so what? My life has not gotten any better. On the contrary, it’s been worse,” Uluyol told Reuters.
China has consistently denied any wrongdoing in Xinjiang and responded to the UN report with a 131-page document defending its policies. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated this week that China fully protects the rights of all ethnic groups.
Human rights advocates, including Uluyol, are increasingly frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of meaningful pressure on China to implement the report’s recommendations. They are calling on the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to intensify efforts. “Saying we are engaging with China has not been enough,” Uluyol emphasized.
Prominent human rights advocate Kenneth Roth has criticized Turk’s approach as “timid,” arguing that more assertive action is needed. The 2022 report concluded that the extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang might constitute an international crime.
Turk, who assumed his role after the report’s release, has publicly supported the findings and repeatedly urged China to take action. However, his office recently acknowledged that “many problematic laws and policies remain in place” in Xinjiang and urged the Chinese authorities to conduct a full review.
UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani highlighted the need for continued engagement with China, stating, “There’s a lot to be desired, which is why we need to continue to work with them, to engage, to see where we can have some progress.”
Supporters of Turk’s approach believe he is balancing public criticism with private diplomacy that could eventually lead to reforms. However, others, including Maya Wang, associate China director at Human Rights Watch, are demanding more concrete steps. Wang has called for the UN to issue an update on the current situation in Xinjiang and to present a detailed action plan for holding those responsible accountable, urging states to take action at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in September.