UN debate on Uyghurs sought

GENEVA: The United States, Britain and other countries are calling for a debate at the UN Human Rights Council to discuss China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims in the far western region of Xinjiang, a document showed and diplomats said yesterday.

The move, which needs a majority vote to pass in the deeply divided Geneva council, would be the first time alleged abuses by China, a permanent Security Council member, featured on the UN rights body’s agenda in its 16year history.

Intense diplomatic discussions have been continuing on the sidelines of the council meeting since a muchanticipated UN report last month stipulated that ‘‘serious human rights violations have been committed’’ in Xinjiang that may amount to crimes against humanity.

‘‘We cannot ignore such severe and systematic breaches of human rights,’’ Britain’s ambassador Simon Manley told the UN body yesterday. ‘‘This council must not, cannot, stay silent.’’

China vigorously denies any abuses and has sent a government delegation to Geneva to counter what it claims are erroneous findings by the UN rights office and says it is ‘‘ready for the fight’’ if action is taken against it.

A spokesman at China’s diplomatic mission in Geneva did not respond to a request for comment.

The socalled ‘‘draft decision’’ reviewed by Reuters is so far backed by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway, diplomats said. It seeks a debate during the council’s next session that begins in February. — Reuters