Posted on 26 January 2024
China's human rights record underwent rare scrutiny at the UN Human Rights Council's universal periodic review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 23, 2024. The UK urged China to end the persecution and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs and Tibetans, ensure genuine freedom of religion and cultural expression without the fear of surveillance or violence, repeal the national security law in Hong Kong, and drop charges against pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai. Meanwhile, the US called for the release of all arbitrarily detained individuals and the cessation of forcible assimilation policies, including the operation of boarding schools in Tibet and Xinjiang.
In response to the UN scrutiny of its policies, China expressed hope for a constructive and non-politicized review of its human rights record by the UN. China denied any abuses against the Uyghurs and other Muslims in the Xinjiang region. They emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation, asserting their commitment to human rights and claimed that they always conduct their work in participating in the UPR in accordance with UN procedures.