FIDH is deeply disappointed as the UN Human Rights Council rejected with 19 votes against (Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Eritrea, Gabon,Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Namibia,Nepal,Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, Sudan, UAE, Uzbekistan, Venezuela), 17 in favor (Czechia, Finland, France, Germany, Honduras, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall islands, Montenegro, Netherlands, Paraguay, Poland, Republic of Korea, Somalia, UK, US) and 11 abstentions (Argentina, Armenia, Benin, Brazil, Gambia, India, Libya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Ukraine) the draft decision to organize a debate on human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region, following the OHCHR’s report warning of possible crimes against humanity.
In particular, FIDH regrets that number of Member States of the Islamic Conference (OIC) abstained or voted against this initiative (Indonesia, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, UAE, Cameroon, Uzbekistan,Benin, Gambia, Libya, Malaysia, Cameroon, Indonesia, Senegal, Sudan, Ivory Coast). Despite their efforts on mobilizing global efforts to combat Islamophobia in Europe and denouncing attacks, hate speeches and discrimination against Muslim Communities in Western countries, their silence or objection to taking any action against the acts of torture in internment camps and prisons, widespread restrictions on Uyghur culture and religion, possible forced sterilizations, among other serious violations, is beyond comprehension.
The crimes against humanity committed by the Chinese Authorities against the Uyghur community is a treason to the defense of every single Muslim community in all countries - including those who abstained or voted against this decision. Without a doubt such double-standards challenges the credibility and integrity of the Human Rights Council and the whole UN system.