UN Human Rights chief kicks off China visit, Beijing cites COVID limiting access

23/5/2022 19:09

        The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet arrived in China on Monday, kicking off the first trip by a holder of the office
        since 2005 amid concerns that it could lead to an endorsement rather than scrutiny of China's rights record.
        
        During the six-day trip, Bachelet will visit Xinjiang, where the High Commissioner's office said last year it believes the mostly Muslim ethnic Uyghurs have been unlawfully detained, mistreated and forced to work.
        
        The Chinese foreign ministry said it welcomes her but rejects "political manipulation" when asked by media if she can visit the detention centres, re-education camps and prisons where rights groups say Uyghurs have been mistreated.
        
        China has repeatedly denied any mistreatment of Uyghurs.