U.N. accuses China of possible ‘crimes against humanity’

A report from the U.N.’s human rights office accused China of serious human rights violations that “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity,” in its mass detention of Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim groups in its western region of Xinjiang.

The assessment was published minutes before Michelle Bachelet, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, was set to leave office. Its release ended a nearly yearlong delay that had exposed Bachelet to fierce pushback by rights groups who accused her of caving to Beijing, which had sought to block the report.

The 48-page report did not include the word “genocide,” a designation used by the U.S. and by a tribunal in Britain last year. But it validated claims from rights groups and activists that China has detained Uyghurs, Kazakhs and others, often for having overseas ties or for expressing religious faith.

Findings: U.N. researchers interviewed 26 former detainees, two-thirds of whom described treatment “that would amount to torture and/or other forms of ill-treatment.” The report also said allegations of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape of people in custody, appeared credible.

Reception: For Uyghur activists, the report was a powerful vindication of their efforts. China submitted a 131-page response that said the human rights office’s “so-called ‘assessment’” was “based on disinformation and lies” and ignored its success in stopping extremism in Xinjiang.