Bachelet clarifies that her visit to Xinjiang was not an investigation into China's treatment of the Uyghurs

However, it asks the Chinese authorities, accused of abuses against this minority, not to apply "arbitrary measures" to this population

MADRID, 28 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has indicated this Saturday that her long-awaited visit to the Chinese region of Xinjiang to evaluate the accusations against the Beijing authorities about abuses of the Uyghur minority has not been of an investigative nature. .

In late August 2018, the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reported that up to a million ethnic Uyghurs could be held in "re-education camps" in Xinjiang.

China has categorically denied any accusation of "genocide" and "forced labor" against the Uyghur minority and has clarified that it is not a matter of Human Rights but of fighting against violence, separatism and extremism. However, the United States, like the European Union and other countries have imposed sanctions on the Asian giant in this regard.

Bachelet has indicated that she has raised "questions" about "anti-terrorist and anti-radicalization" measures, in addition to asking China to refrain from adopting "arbitrary measures" against this population.

Similarly, the High Commissioner has asked the Chinese authorities to provide information to the families of the internees about their situation.

However, Bachelet has acknowledged that she has been "unable to assess" the situation on a "large scale" given the nature of her visit. "This visit has not been an investigation," Bachelet has made it known, "because a visit from a high-ranking official is not conducive to the methodology of an investigation".

Instead, Bachelet has indicated that her visit has been "an opportunity to dialogue with Chinese leaders on Human Rights."

"To those of you who have asked me to convey your concern," Bachelet addressed the NGOs that denounce the Chinese authorities, "your work matters and I will closely follow these issues."