For years, human rights groups have been urging world leaders to hold China accountable for its alleged human rights abuses

There have been numerous reports of human rights abuses within China, but no clear way of holding the country to account.

In particular, reports of abuse against the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang province have sparked global concerns.

The UN Human Rights office released a report highlighting the brutality of abuse against muslim minorities in China.

“Allegations of patterns of torture, or ill-treatment, including forced medical treatment and adverse conditions of detention, are credible, as are allegations of individual incidents of sexual and gender-based violence.”

Michelle bachelet – un high commissioner of human rights

The damning report confirms what human rights groups have been concerned about for years. It details victims accounts of “detention, torture, cultural persecution and forced labor.”

While, the UN Human Rights Office says it’s committed to supporting China to address the issues evident in the report, other groups say immediate action is required.

Non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Watch, is calling on Australia to join other leading nations in making Chinese crimes against humanity punishable.

Following the release of a groundbreaking United Nations report, there is now further evidence that the Chinese government is committing crimes against humanity in Xinjiang.

The Australian government should take firm action in response.https://t.co/cABMZXTBy4 pic.twitter.com/Ig1HGyjxYW

— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) September 13, 2022

The organisation wants to see China exposed to sanctions, starting with legislation to prevent the import of any goods made with forced labor.

The group wants businesses, states and the international community to take action.

Holding China accountable

While the reports of China’s abuse in the Xinjiang region are horrific, world leaders seem to be finding it difficult to hold the communist country accountable. It raises questions about where accountability comes from and how it is policed.

Human Rights Watch want the Australian Government to move in line with other leading nations like the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada to target China’s behaviour.

They want businesses to stop importing goods that are manufactured through forced labor, and a new legislation in place to enforce it.

However, thousands of Australian businesses rely heavily on China’s manufacturing hubs.

For some, they’re the backbone of their survival. So is it fair or realistic to put this expectation and responsibility on Australian business owners?

“Is it realistic that in the year 2022 we want to import goods from political prisoners?

Political prisoners who are locked up for no other reason other than they are muslim.”

sophie mcneill – human rights watch

However, the level of complexity attached to a problem shouldn’t justify turning a blind eye to it.

Australia lagging behind

The EU, US, UK and Canada have all made significant efforts to tackle China’s alleged human rights abuses.

They have taken a stand by implementing acts and legislation to deter China’s behaviour. The United States, for example, has the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which provides customs authorities increased powers to enforce bans on imports from forced labor.  

This has many wondering why Australia hasn’t taken any concrete action to condemn China’s human rights abuses.

Tensions between Australia and China have been at an all time high since Australia moved to investigate the origins of the coronavirus.

Some say Australia is concerned for the repercussions and consequences of holding China accountable on the global stage.

“We’ve been calling on the Australian Government to take action for years now… We’ve run out of excuses. Now is the time to act.”

Sophie Mcneill- Human Rights watch

Does China care about sanctions?

As a communist country, China has shown time and time again that it does not mind being an outlier on the global stage.

Some say that targeted sanctions will not deter or stop the abuse against ethnic minorities. While others say if a coalition of countries band together to call out the abuse, then it is more likely to have a real impact.

Double standards

Many countries around the world has or has had reports of human rights abuses in one way or another.

Soon, Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which in largely known for its human rights abuses. In particular, there have been reports of human rights abuses during the construction of the stadiums required for the cup.

However, all of the countries who are now taking a stand against China are heading to the world cup. It raises questions of hypocrisy and whether leading Governments are selecting who they hold accountable based on their own political rhetoric.

Are world leaders picking and choosing where justice falls?

“Governments do pick and choose and that hinders our ability to hold China accountable.”

Sophie Mcneill- Human Rights watch