China ratifies international labour treaties as scrutiny of treatment of ethnic minorities mounts
China's lawmakers on Wednesday announced that it ratified two international conventions against forced labour, months after United Nations experts voiced concerns over the country's treatment of ethnic and religious minorities – particularly in the Xinjiang region.
Beijing's approvals come as the country faces accusations of widespread human rights abuses in Xinjiang, including forced labour.
Rights groups estimate at least one million Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities have been incarcerated in "re-education camps" there – allegations that Beijing roundly rejects.
Officials maintain the camps are vocational training centres aimed at reducing the appeal of Islamic extremism.
London and Washington have been among vocal critics of China's treatment of minorities in Xinjiang, with the US State Department previously calling on China to "end its genocide and crimes against humanity" in the region.
https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20220420-china-ratifies-international-labour-treaties-as-scrutiny-of-treatment-of-ethnic-minorities-mounts