China’s human rights crisis: Western nations demand accountability

The United States, Australia, and 13 other nations strongly opposed China at the United Nations. China received this criticism due to human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet. All of these countries expressed worries over China’s treatment of Uyghur and other Muslims. In response to this criticism, China blamed these nations for being responsible for the ongoing crises in Gaza, highlighting the great debate about human rights. 

At the United Nations in New York and the Human Rights Council in Geneva, one of the key issues is always discussed. It is about how China treats its Uyghur population and other Muslim groups. The United Nations report from 2 years ago stated that China’s actions in Xinjiang might be classified as crimes against humanity. This situation demands an international response. Nations must force China to stop these violations and also acknowledge other human rights issues. 

Australia’s UN Ambassador, James Larsen asked China to follow its promises about human rights and also take action according to the United Nations recommendations. He asked China to release people who were held in Xinjiang and Tibet without any reason. China should also provide information about missing family members. Larsen spoke for different nations, including the United States, China, and many European nations. 

In reply to these comments, China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong refused all of these abuses against Uyghurs. According to China, Western nations are spreading false information to cause problems. Fu claimed that instead of China, Nations should focus on the human rights crisis in Gaza. He claimed that Australia and the United States were ignoring serious issues and criticizing China without any reason. This back-and-forth shows the ongoing tensions between China and Western countries over human rights and where attention should be placed.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas targeted Israel and killed around 1200 of its civilians. Hamas also took 250 civilians hostage. To take revenge, Israel attacked ‌Gaza, and this incident took the lives of 42000 people. Along with this, approximately 2.3 million residents have been displaced from their homes. Fu said that if this ongoing death toll and human crisis in Gaza fail to open the eyes of Western nations, then their claims of supporting Muslim human rights are misleading. Human rights experts at the United Nations also claimed that most ‌‌Western nations support Israel despite knowing of their aggressive actions in Gaza. 

Recently, US Deputy Ambassador Lisa Carty stated that an immediate ceasefire is necessary; also Hamas should free all hostages. He also stressed Israel should allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

This situation raises serious questions about the sincerity of international support for human rights in conflict zones.

Carty was adamantly against China’s continued operations in Tibet, Hong Kong, and Xinjiang. He drew attention to the brutal treatment of Tibetans, the crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong, the extreme repression in Xinjiang, and China’s attempts to stifle foreign-based critics. In a statement delivered on behalf of 80 nations, Pakistan’s ambassador to the U.N., Munir Akram, retorted that China has domestic control over the problems in these areas. This group argued that no country should be treated differently than others and opposed the politicization of human rights. 

Larsen of Australia went on to say that although each nation has shortcomings in its record on human rights, no one should be spared from an impartial examination. He emphasized how crucial it is to respect international human rights obligations, which are advantageous to all. To guarantee that human rights are upheld internationally, all countries must take responsibility for their actions. In discussing human rights, this conversation highlights the importance of openness and equity, calling on nations to steer clear of hypocrisy and strive for real progress.