UN Mute As China Calls Even Uighur Babies Criminals, Cambodia to Return

Original Source
Inner City Press
By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 18 -- Twenty two Uighur asylum seekers, two of them babies, have been in limbo in Cambodia for days. China has demanded their return as "criminals" -- even the babies. On December 15, Inner City Press asked the UN Spokesman

Inner City Press: China has said that there are these Uighur refugees, or attempted refugees, who’ve gone to Cambodia and have applied for asylum status. China has said openly that UNHCR should not accept them, that they’re criminals. Several of them are children. So I’m wondering if anyone -- the Secretariat had some things to say during the disturbances in western China, but whether the Secretariat agrees that children can be criminals and that these people, who may face either torture or execution if they’re returned, should be returned to China by Cambodia.

Spokesperson Martin Nesirky: I’ve also heard these reports. We’ve also heard about these reports about Uighur would-be refugees, asylum seekers, and I would refer you to UNHCR. They will probably have more detail on that.

But UNHCR has not said anything either. And now Cambodia has said that the asylum seekers entered the country "illegally," and will be returned to China. Still, not a word from the UN.

This is a pattern. On October 14, 2009, Inner City Press asked

Inner City Press: In China, in the wake of the disturbances in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and that six Uighurs have been sentenced to death after trials that involved no legal representation -- what’s the UN done on that issue since the single statement by the Secretary-General that there was some concern of unrest in western China? What’s been done generally and is there any comment on this in particular?

Associate Spokesperson Farhan Haq: I don’t have any particular comment on this, but I would refer you back, I believe that the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, also made some comments; I would refer you back to the concerns that she expressed.

So, no comment from the Secretary General on the death penalty for protesting minorities, at least not in China. Cynics note a reticence to critique any of the Permanent Five members of the Security Council, each of which has veto power, including over an S-G's second term.



UN's Ban at Beijing's birdnest, Uighurs not shown


On October 21, 2009, Inner City Press asked

Inner City Press: in western China that 43, at minimum, Uighurs had disappeared, not taken in trial, just simply gone. I’m wondering whether the Secretariat or anyone in the UN system, specifically, not just the comments made some months ago, but looking at that report. And also there is a report of a person jumping or falling to their death from the UN building in Vienna. Have you seen this report?

Deputy Spokesperson Marie Okabe: No, not the report you just mentioned on Vienna. I have nothing, but I am sure my Office is looking into it now if that has been the case. As for your other question, yes, I have actually specifically been told that Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay will be addressing this issue this afternoon.

But Ms. Pillay that afternoon, when asked about it on camera by Inner City Press, did not make any statement. This is a pattern.

Footnote: Others have questions the silence of Ms. Pillay and her Office on the high profile human rights case of Aminatou Haider and her hunger strike. What is going on? Watch this site.