Geneva: The United Nations on Friday urged China
to guarantee "humane treatment" and offer fair trials to those
held over last year`s unrest in Tibet and July`s violence in
Xinjiang.
This included granting the detainees "access to a lawyer
of their choice, presumption of innocence, and handing down
proportionate sentences on those found guilty," the UN
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said
after considering China`s record.
China had said during the UN hearing held on August 7 and
10 that it has released 1,231 people held over the Tibet
unrest after they were "punished, made to submit statements of
repentance and educated by judicial authorities in Tibet."
Seventy-seven others have been charged with serious
offences such as burglary, arson and obstruction of justice,
while seven others were charged with espionage.
Beijing added that 718 people were still held over the
violence in Xinjiang, with around 83 people facing charges of
serious crimes, such as murder, arson and robbery.
In its conclusions published today, the UN committee
acknowledged China`s duty to maintain public order in the face
of the unrest, but said it was "concerned" at allegations of
the disproportionate use of force against ethnic Tibetans and
Uighurs.
Bureau Report
