UN Human Rights Chief to Step Down in Wake of China Visit

JUN 13 2022·Updated SEP 20 2022

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Image credit: Reuters [via Fox News]

The Facts

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Mon. announced her decision not to seek a second term citing "personal reasons." Her four-year mandate will expire on Aug. 31.
guardian
The revelation comes as she continues to face fierce criticism from human rights groups over a visit to China in May, during which she failed to condemn allegations of genocide against Uyghur Muslims taking place in Xinjiang.
guardian
Although Bachelet traveled there to investigate claims that Beijing had been targeting and detaining Uyghurs and local minorities, she praised China for its "tremendous achievements" during the trip.
nytimes
A resolution from the US Senate as long as 18 months ago put the number of detainees in a "camp" system in China at 1.8M and declared that they were enduring torture and forced labor, and had been coerced into revoking their religious beliefs. Some Uyghurs were even experiencing rape, and forced abortion, sterilisation and organ harvesting.
The Telegraph
It remains unclear whether her decision is related to her handling of the trip, the first of a top UN human rights official to China in 17 years.
nytimes

Sources Split

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The Spin

Anti-China narrative

Bachelet's tour of China was outright embarrassing, not only for herself but for the entirety of the UN. During her closing statements, she said nothing of the ongoing human rights violations in the nation, instead regurgitating CCP propaganda.

Newsweek

Pro-China narrative

This is clearly a smear campaign created by US officials, who have tried to manipulate Bachelet's visit to condemn Beijing. She organized her trip according to her will and was given an accurate picture of China and its practices.

China Daily