The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Oct. 6 rejected a move to debate China’s ongoing human rights abuses—a rare move that could signal U.S. influence abroad is waning.
Leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada called for a debate on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) suppression of the Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang after a U.N. report documented possible crimes against humanity in the region.
“The extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim groups ... may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity,” the report says.
“Serious human rights violations have been committed in [Xinjiang] in the context of the Government’s application of counter-terrorism and counter-‘extremism’ strategies.”
Despite widespread concern about the report, the UNHRC voted 19–17 against the motion for a debate, with 11 nations abstaining. It’s only the second time in the council’s 16-year history that a motion has been rejected.
The CCP engaged in extensive lobbying efforts ahead of the vote to debate the issue. Communist leadership hosted a photo exhibition called “Xinjiang Is a Wonderful Land,” which featured pictures of Han Chinese and Uyghur schoolgirls helping each other with their studies.
The vote also raised political dilemmas for many developing nations on the 47-member council. They may have concerns about defying the regime in Beijing because of their dependence on the CCP for economic projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, also known as “One Belt, One Road.”
Notably, the CCP’s lobbying efforts began months before the report documenting its crimes was released. In June, Beijing circulated a letter among foreign diplomatic missions in Geneva, urging them to bury the report and add their signature to a document supporting the regime.
“We strongly urge Madame High Commissioner not to publish such an assessment,” the letter said.
In another, more strongly worded response (pdf) to the publication of the report, the CCP criticized the UNHRC—of which it is a member—for promoting “anti-China forces” that spread “disinformation and lies.”
The U.S. envoy to the council vowed to continue seeking justice for those in Xinjiang whose lives and families were destroyed by the regime.
“No country should be immune from a discussion at the council,” Michèle Taylor said after the vote concluded.
“We will continue to work closely with our partners to seek justice and accountability for victims of human rights abuses and violations, including the Uyghurs in Xinjiang.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
