UN report accuses China of human rights violations

A United Nations report late Wednesday accused China of baseless detentions, inhumane treatment of prisoners, rape, and torture. China’s actions against Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity,” according to the report. The UN’s document included testimony from more than two dozen former prisoners who described being beaten with batons, having water poured on their faces while being interviewed, and being raped. The report stopped short of saying China is committing genocide, though the United States and other countries have accused China of trying to eradicate the Uyghurs. 

What has China said? China issued a 122-page rebuttal titled “Fight against Terrorism and Extremism in Xinjiang: Truth and Facts,” which was posted beside the UN report. A spokesman said it’s a politically motivated report with false information. 

Dig deeper: Read Esther Eaton’s report in WORLD magazine on Uyghurs in the U.S. telling the stories of those detained in China.