Australia Concerned About Xinjiang China Reverses UN Charges Against Australia for Human Rights Violations

China today submitted a statement to the United Nations Human Rights Council accusing the Australian government of human rights abuses, saying the Chinese government is “deeply concerned” about the issue.

In the statement, China said the Australian government treats asylum seekers as refugees by taking them to neighboring third countries such as Papua New Guinea and Nonu until their status is confirmed, Australia News reported.

The report clearly states that a total of 13 people have died in the process since 2012.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of Chinese media outlet Global Times, also tweeted accusing Western countries of genocide for killing indigenous people, forcing them to speak English, French and Spanish, and changing their lifestyle. The Australian news network called his comments a “double standard” because China has implemented similar policies in Xinjiang.

The newspaper also pointed out that China’s aim was to retaliate against Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne for her comments on human rights in Xinjiang last month.

Payne said at the Time that the Australian government had recognized that there were “significant problems” with human rights in Xinjiang and had reflected their concerns to the Chinese side in this regard. “This latest report, which points to a series of torture and abuse of local women, is very worrying and it also points to serious problems with (China’s) treatment of Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minorities.”

“We believe transparency is essential and will continue to urge China to grant international observers, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, immediate, effective and unrestricted access to Xinjiang as soon as possible.”