On 31 August, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in disregard of China’s solemn representation, insisted on releasing the so-called “assessment” on Xinjiang, China. We firmly opposethis so-called “assessment” which is not mandatedby the Human Rights Council, smears and slanders China, and interferes in China’s internal affairs. It seriously violates the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and undermines the credibility and impartiality of the OHCHR.

The so-called “assessment”, based on presumption of guilt, uses disinformation and lies fabricated by anti-China forces as its main sources, deliberately ignores authoritative information and objective materials provided by the Chinese government, maliciously distorts China’s laws and policies, denigrates the fight against terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang, and turns a blind eye to the tremendous human rights achievements jointly made by people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. Its content is completely contradictory to the end of mission statement made by the High Commissioner after her visit to China. It exposes the deep-rooted bias against and ignorance on China of some people in the OHCHR.

The so-called “assessment” is purely a farce plotted by some Western countries and anti-China forces. They have been consistently pressing the High Commissioner and the OHCHR, and demanding the release of a so-called “assessment” on Xinjiang, so as to bring ammunitions to their political manipulation of Xinjiang-related issues. It is completely a politicized document that disregards facts, and reveals explicitly the attempt of some Western countries and anti-China forces to use human rights as a political tool.

With regard to the human rights situation in Xinjiang, no one has a better say than the Chinese people, including the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. China pursues a people-centered approach and upholds that living a happy life is the primary human right, and has embarked on a human rights development path which conforms to the trend of the times and suits China’s national conditions. Xinjiang used to suffer from the ravages of terrorist attacks. After its successful and productive fight against terrorism and extremism, Xinjiang has seen no violent terrorist incident for more than five consecutive years, and the lives, properties and human rights of people of all ethnic groups have been effectively protected. At present, Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic development, cultural prosperity and religious harmony. People of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are living a fulfilling life in peace. It is the best human rights practice and the greatest human rights achievement.

Facts speak louder than words, and justice is in the heart of the people. In recent years, nearly 100 countries have continuously spoken up at the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly to support China’s legitimate position and oppose interference in China’s internal affairs under the pretext of Xinjiang-related issues. Nearly one thousand Non-Governmental Organizations sent a joint letter to the High Commissioner, strongly opposing the release of the so-called “assessment”. These voices of justices have reflected the will of the majority of the members of the international community. The attempt of some Western countries and anti-China forces to use UN bodies to manipulate Xinjiang-related issues is doomed to fail.

International human rights cooperation must be conducted on the basis of equality and mutual respect. International human rights bodies must respect objective facts and the human rights development path independently chosen by each State in light of its own reality and people’s needs, abandon double standards and refrain from interfering in the sovereignty and internal affairs of Member States under the pretext of human rights. We urge the OHCHR to immediately change course, stand on the side of equity and justice, be truly committed to promoting and protecting the human rights of all peoples, and genuinely promote dialogues and cooperation, so as to promote the sound development of the international human rights course, rather than become a tool of some Western countries for their own political interests.