UN to Probe China Abuse Concerns 12/09 06:15

UN to Probe China Abuse Concerns       12/09 06:15

   The top United Nations human rights official said Friday that his office 
will continue reaching out to Beijing about allegations of abuse in China.

   BERLIN (AP) -- The top United Nations human rights official said Friday that 
his office will continue reaching out to Beijing about allegations of abuse in 
China.

   The office of former U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet published a 
report in August stating that China's detention of Uyghurs and other mostly 
Muslim ethnic groups in the western region of Xinjiang may constitute crimes 
against humanity.

   Bachelet's successor, High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk, called 
the report "a very important one" that "highlighted very serious human rights 
concerns."

   "My focus is on following up on the recommendations that are contained in 
the report," Trk said at a news conference in Geneva.

   "We will, and I will, personally continue engaging with the authorities," he 
said, adding: "Hope springs eternal for changes."

   Beijing rejected the report when it was released, alleging it was part of a 
Western campaign to smear China's reputation.