UN: Uyghur detentions may constitute crimes against humanity

The UN Human Rights Office released their long-awaited analysis of allegations of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, or XUAR, on Wednesday, saying it raises concerns from the perspective of international criminal law.

According to the report, China’s detention of Uyghurs and other predominately Muslim communities in Xinjiang has allegedly deprived the groups of their fundamental rights and may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity.

The final assessment says numerous reports and victim accounts detailed alleged detention in camps, claims of torture, sexual violence, forced labor, separation of families and other ill-treatment.

“Allegations of patterns of torture or ill-treatment, including forced medical treatment and adverse conditions of detention, are credible, as are allegations of individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence,” the report states.

According to the UN’s report, there is an urgent need for an international response.