On Saturday, the UN human rights chief stated that her visit in China, where she was accused of oppressing the Muslim Uyghur minority in the name anti-terrorism, wasn’t an investigation.
Michelle Bachelet stated during an online conference that she had “heard” critics of her lack of criticism for the Chinese government. She also spoke with “candor” to communist leaders.
The Chinese region of Xinjiang in the northwest has been the site of many bloody attacks on civilians. These attacks were committed, according the government, by Uyghur separatists or Islamists. The territory has been subject to draconian surveillance over the years in the name of fighting terrorism.
Western studies claim that Beijing has held more than a million Uyghurs, and other Muslim ethnic group members in “reeducation camps”. China decries biased reporting and refers to “vocational training centres” that are meant to eradicate extremism.
Michelle Bachelet, who spent several days in Xinjiang visiting the region, urged China not to take “arbitrary actions” in the area. Bachelet stated that the regional government had assured him that the network “vocational training centres” had been “dismantled”.
The former Chilean president of 70 years also stated that Beijing “did not supervise” her meetings at Xinjiang.
Michelle Bachelet stated that the issue of Uyghur family dissolutions was raised with Chinese authorities in Xinjiang.
“We are aware that many people are searching for news of their loved ones ,” she said, explaining that she had “raised many cases, very important cases”.
