After abstention on vote against China at UN, India bats for human rights of Uyghur Muslims

After abstaining on vote against China for its alleged atrocities in Xinjiang, the Centre said that the vote was in line with its long held position that country specific resolutions are never helpful.

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After abstention on vote against China at UN, India bats for human rights of Uyghur Muslims
Ethnic Uyghur demonstrators take part in a protest against China, in Istanbul, Turkey, October 1, 2021. (Photo: Reuters)

In Short

  • Centre says human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected
  • On Thursday, India had abstained on vote against China at UNHRC
  • The vote was on China's alleged atrocities on Uyghur Muslims in the region

A day after abstaining on a vote against China's treatment of Uyghur Muslims at the UN Human Rights Council, India on Friday said that the human rights of people of Xinjiang should be respected.

At a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "India remains committed to upholding all human rights. India’s vote is in line with its long held position that country specific resolutions are never helpful. India favours a dialogue to deal with such issues."

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"We have taken note of the OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China. The human rights of the people of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region should be respected and guaranteed. We hope that the relevant party will address the situation objectively and properly," he added.

Also Read | China may have committed crimes against humanity in Uyghur Muslim territory: UN report

On Thursday, India was among the 11 countries which abstained in voting against China for their alleged human rights abuse of the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang province.

While 17 members voted in favour of the resolution at UNHRC, 19 members voted against it, including China, Pakistan, and Nepal. Eleven members abstained, including India, Brazil, Mexico, and Ukraine.

Since 2017, there has been extensive documentation of China’s crackdown against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, carried out under the guise of fighting terrorism.

Situation still not normal: MEA on Indo-China ties

Arindam Bagchi also said that the situation is not normal between India and China. His statement was in contradiction to Beijing's envoy who claimed that the situation was becoming normal along the Line of Actual Control.

Last week, China's military said that the disengagement of Chinese and Indian troops from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area in eastern Ladakh was conducive to promoting peace and tranquillity in the border areas.

Also Read | China spreading propaganda videos of Uyghurs living "happily" on YouTube