In a recent US State Department statement, Washington called on Beijing to end ongoing atrocities in Xinjiang, reiterating the possibility of international crimes against humanity. The US pledged to continue working with international partners to seek justice for victims of human rights abuses in China.
Despite recognizing the UN commission’s efforts to engage with Beijing on human rights issues, the US highlighted the persistence of problematic laws and policies in Xinjiang. The UN report, released just before former UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s term ended, pointed to mass detentions, forced labor, and political indoctrination endured by Uygurs in Xinjiang.
Both the US and the European Union have taken steps to address forced labor concerns in Xinjiang, with the EU implementing a ban on such goods in the region. A 2023 report by the Global Rights Project and CIRI Human Rights Data Project revealed low human rights scores for China, Russia, and the US.