Xi sees China's human rights situation in line with 'national conditions'

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Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet in a video call with Chinese President Xi Jinping

Photo: IMAGO/Yue Yuewei/ IMAGO/Xinhua

New revelations about the oppression of the Uyghurs in the Chinese province of Xinjiang weigh on the leadership in Beijing.

Meanwhile, President Xi Jinping defended the human rights situation in his country.

"Human rights issues should not be politicized, instrumentalized or treated with double standards," Xi said in a video conference with UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Bachelet is currently on a multi-day trip to China and should visit the cities of Ürümqi and Kashgar in the Uyghur province of Xinjiang.

SPIEGEL and other international research partners published the Xinjiang Police Files on Tuesday.

The data leak by Chinese authorities proves the arbitrary and mass internment of Uyghurs in the region.

Among them are never-before-seen photos from inside re-education camps, confidential official instructions and speeches by Chinese officials.

The Xinjiang Police Files also show the severity with which Beijing monitors and suppresses the ethnic group.

China dismisses the allegations as the “lie of the century”.

No direct reference to Xinjiang

Xinjiang was not named in CCTV's coverage of Xi's phone call with Bachelet.

Accordingly, Xi said in an interview with Bachelet that there is no "ideal nation" when it comes to human rights.

The "development of human rights" in China "fits with the national conditions," Xi said accordingly.

"Deviating from reality and copying the institutional model of other states not only fits badly with local conditions, but also brings disastrous consequences," the Xinhua news agency quoted the head of state as saying.

In addition, the President protested against criticism from abroad.

Apparently referring to recent critical statements by the US and Great Britain, Xi said that "countries do not need patronizing editors".

Speaking to Xi, according to CCTV, Bachelet said the UN human rights office wanted to "intensify its cooperation with the Chinese side" and "make joint efforts to advance the development of human rights globally."

Uyghurs living in exile had appealed to Bachelet not to be manipulated by the Beijing leadership.

According to the Chinese state television station, Bachelet said during the conversation with Xi: "I admire China's efforts and achievements in eradicating poverty, protecting human rights and achieving economic and social development." However, there was no confirmation of the statements .

Bachelet was initially cautious on Twitter.

The meeting with Xi and senior Chinese officials was "valuable" for directly discussing human rights issues, the commissioner said.

»In order for global development, peace and security to be sustainable, human rights, justice and the inclusion of all, without exception, must be at the centre«.

fek/AFP/Reuters/dpa