BEIJING, 23 October 2021, (TON): Forty-three countries called on China at the UN to “ensure full respect for the rule of law” with regard to the Muslim Uyghur community in Xinjiang, where respect for human rights remains “particularly” worrying.

“We call on China to allow immediate, meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang for independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and her office,” the countries said in a joint statement, read at the United Nations by France.

“We are particularly concerned about the situation in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,” the statement said, citing “credible” reports that “indicate the existence of a large network of ‘political reeducation’ camps where over a million people have been arbitrarily detained.”

The declaration, signed by the United States, European countries, Asian states and other spoke of torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, forced sterilization, sexual and gender-based violence and forced separation of children, which it said  “disproportionately continues to target Uyghurs and members of other minorities.”

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun denounced what he termed the “lies” and “a plot to hurt China.” He quickly stepped in to reject “unfounded accusations.”

He said “Xinjiang enjoys development and the people are emancipating themselves every day and are proud of the progress made.”