Second Anniversary of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Assessment on the Human Rights Situation in Xinjiang

In 2022, after a multi-year assessment, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) concluded that “serious human rights violations have been committed” in Xinjiang.  The United States is disappointed that after two years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to reject the OHCHR assessment’s findings and refuses to implement the High Commissioner’s recommendations to release all those arbitrarily deprived of their liberty, cease all intimidation and reprisals against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang and abroad, and investigate allegations of human rights abuses, including torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and forced medical treatment.

The United States remains gravely concerned by the PRC’s ongoing repression of predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang, which the High Commissioner’s assessment found “may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity.”  We again urge the PRC to take immediate action to end these ongoing atrocities.

We recognize OHCHR’s continued engagement with the PRC on human rights abuses and violations, including in Xinjiang, and welcome continued engagement on their assessment and recommendations.  We will continue to work closely with partners across the international community to seek justice for the many victims of PRC policies in Xinjiang and to secure accountability for individuals and entities perpetrating human rights violations and abuses.