Western Nations Call for Transparency on Rights in Tibet

A joint statement by 15 Western nations, led by Australia, has called on China to address human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. Delivered at the U.N., Australian Ambassador James Larsen urged China to allow independent observers, including from the U.N., to visit both regions. The statement cites U.N. reports detailing abuses such as arbitrary detentions, forced disappearances, and destruction of cultural sites in Xinjiang, as well as restrictions on political and cultural rights in Tibet. Larsen emphasized that transparency is crucial and urged China to comply with international human rights obligations. China has dismissed these concerns, calling previous U.N. assessments "illegal."