Month: September 2022

China’s UN speech offers guidance and hope for a stable world

Posted on By Sino Uganda Research Centre

On Saturday 24th, China’s State Councilor who doubles as Foreign Minister Wang Yi delivered speech to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at UN headquarters in New York.

In the 21 minutes address, Wang told world leaders that today, the world is faced with multiple challenges; “COVID-19 has kept resurfacing, global security faces uncertainty, global economic recovery is fragile and unsteady and various risks and crisis are emerging,” he stressed.  Wang went ahead explaining that “changes unseen a century, are accelerating.” This, he argued has seen “the world has entere a new phase of turbulence and change.”

Despite painting a grim picture of the current situation, Wang explained that the world continues to move toward multipolarity, deepening of economic globalization and interconnectedness and interdependence of countries and that increased people’s calls for progress and cooperation among countries getting louder, these are good signs of hope.

To address current challenges the world is facing, State Councilor Wang Yi explained that China is ready to take lead. He then advanced six key areas the world should focus on to ensure that together, the world builds a community with a shared future for mankind.

Stressing importance of peace for the future of international community, Wang emphasized the need to uphold peace and opposing wars. Quoting China’s president Xi Jinping, Wang Yi explained “turbulence and war can only open pandora’s box. And he who instigates a proxy war can easily get himself burned.” Further, he called for peace stressing that “pursuing one’s absolute security can only undermine global strategic stability. We must address differences by peaceful means and resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation.”

Compared with China’s Global Security Initiative which emphasizes common comprehensive cooperative and sustainable security, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others, abiding by the principles of UN charter, taking seriously security concerns of others among others, this idea will help in addressing global challenges that are security related.

Secondly, explaining that development is key for one’s wellbeing, Wang emphasized the need to support development efforts and end poverty globally. “Development holds the key to resolving difficult issues and delivering a happy life to our people,” noted Wang. He also stressed importance of working together. “We should place development at the centre of international agenda and forge a global development partnership and see that everyone in every country benefit from fruits of development in equitable way,” emphasized Wang.

If analysed, the above resonates well with China’s proposed global development initiative (GDI) which was introduced by president Xi in September 2021. GDI outlines China’s vision in context of global development efforts. It aims to support developing countries in poverty alleviation, public health, and other issues, while putting people at centre of development.

Thirdly, Wang called for an open world economy and inclusiveness while upholding, multilateral trading system like the World Trade Organization (WTO). Quoting president XI, Wang underscored importance of openness explaining that to achieve human prosperity and advancement, the world should oppose exclusion. “Protectionism can only boomerang and decoupling and supply‑chain disruptions will hurt everyone,” explained Wang.

Wang called for global cooperation and opposing confrontation. “Our best strategy is to stick together and the only way forward is through win-win cooperation,” Wang noted. While acknowledging that it’s understandable and natural countries to have misunderstandings, it should not be a reason for confrontation stressing that through dialogue, such can be addressed. He stressed the need to “increase mutual understanding on basis of equality and respect. We should engage in dialogue, consultation, and win-win cooperation and reject conflict, coercion and zero-sum game. We should jointly reject group politics and block confrontation.”

Closer analysis of this view advanced by Wang Yi is that with cooperation, dialogue, respect for one another, cold war mentality and countries rejecting group politics and block confrontation, challenges such as conflicts that threaten global security can be avoided.

Further, Wang Yi mentioned strengthening solidarity, and opposing division as another way world can confront global challenges. Using analogy of passengers on the same ship, he described countries world-over as passengers. “Countries around the world are like passengers on the same ship who share a common stake. All of us should pull together to navigate the ship through storm toward a bright future. Our world must embrace diverse cavillation in order to make continuous advances and mankind must pursue an inclusive path in order to achieve modernization,” stated Wang Yi. He emphasized that democracy and human rights should not be used as tools to achieve political ends.

Wang underscored the need for fairness, equity and oppose bulling which he stressed all go against UN charter. Wang emphasised that “mutual respect and equity of all countries, big and small is a primary principle of UN charter.” He stressed that all international issues should be handled by all and in equal and respectful manner stressing that no country should be tolerated to abuse its power to bully other sovereign countries.

Regarding Ukraine-Russia crisis, Wang Yi called for urgent peace talks to resolve the conflict and expressed China’s full support for all efforts conducive to its peaceful resolution and emphasized the need for all parties to keep the crisis from “spilling over” and protect the legitimate rights and interests of other developing countries. Wang observed that a few countries have arbitrarily imposed unilateral sanctions affecting other countries’ interests.

On Taiwan question, Wang Yi emphasized that Taiwan has been an “inseparable part of China’s territory since ancient times”, and stressed that its “One China” policy has become a basic norm of the international relations and a consensus of the international community. Wang emphasized that Beijing would continue to work for the peaceful reunification with sincerity, but warned that, to realize this goal, it will combat separatist activities with the firmest resolve and take the most forceful steps to oppose external interference.  “Any move to obstruct China’s reunification is bound to be crushed by the wheels of history,” noted Wang.

In conclusion, despite the world entering a “new phase of turbulence and change” as Wang observed, the six points Wang advanced can help as discussed above. This is largely due to the fact that much of today’s challenges are security related and Wang’s six points if analysed broadly, they tackle security concerns issues. Above all, the six points emphasise the need to respect and uphold to the principles of UN charter. Therefore, China’s address to world leaders during 77th UNGA offers leadership and hope for sustainable global security.

Allawi Ssemanda is a senior research fellow at Development Watch Centre.

60 Years of Diplomacy: Uganda and China Are Comrades

Posted on By Sino Uganda Research Centre

By Alan Collins Mpewo.

After 9 days of Uganda having attained independence from Britain, China and Uganda formalized diplomatic ties on 18’th October, 1962. It’s perhaps one of the first countries to have formally straightened diplomatic relations with Uganda.

This year, 2022, the two countries are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations. Last week, the Chinese Embassy of Uganda jointly with Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Affairs held a conference on the successes of Uganda and PRC for the 60 years they’ve held diplomatic relations. Importantly, there was endless reassurance of continued diplomacy for the many years ahead. Zhang Lizhong, the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda made highlights to some of the major achievements reached as a result of this diplomatic relations.

Tracking Uganda – China successes, the Chinese Ambassador reminded participants of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 that saws China regain its rightful position in the UN. When it came up to a vote, Uganda was among the many countries that voted in favor – PRC to become to the legitimate representative of China to the United Nations. Since that significant undertaking, the two countries have reached tremendous successes to now recently, and perhaps Uganda’s greatest project with PRC yet, the oil exploration in the Lake Albert Graben. With PRC’s contribution, Uganda is destined to decades of impactful oil export while both countries respectfully benefit from the arrangement.

The Oil exploration being carried out by the Chinese North Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) has already been steadfast and with much confidence from the two partner states that commercial Oil works will commence by 2025. Besides the estimates of the proceeds that will transform the standard of living of majority of the Ugandans, the job creation that the project has so far created cannot be overemphasized. The jobs are not only limited to technocrats, but also for the informally skilled that provide additional required support and resources mainly in Uganda’s socalled oil districts. CNOOC in the same arena has had contributions on the education in Bunyoro Kingdom.

CNOOC has for over 6 years been providing scholarships to top excelling pupils and students in Primary Leaving Examinations, and Uganda Certificate of Education. Over 200 of the top excelling students benefit annually from this project. As a matter of corporate responsibility, CNOOC has also impacted major health centers area and also constructed modern houses for people affected by oil exploration in the area.

The energy sector does not only however, have impacts felt in the Oil and gas industry. Hydroelectricity, a main propeller of Uganda’s industrialization has seen Chinese input. China funded the Karuma Hydropower Plant that has an electricity generation capacity of 600 MW. Another is Isimba Hydro Power Plant which generates 183MW. When their employment capacity is combined, they employed over 9,000 Ugandans majority of whom were youths.

A significant importance of the increase in the electricity transmission capacities has been the foundation for running numerous industries which are located in the various industrial parks located in Uganda, some of which were built by China such as Uganda-China (Guangdong) Free Zone of International Industrial Cooperation, Kehong Uganda Industrial Park, and Sino-Uganda Industrial Park located in Mbale district. These industrial parks are one stop centers for a number of industries broadly dealing in both simple and complex machinery.

In the highlights from the Chinese Ambassador, another major achievement was underscored as far as countering challenges by both countries in arms. The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it huddles whose effects if not for the intervention of China, would still be ravaging majority of Ugandans. Uganda had reached a hard time getting the COVID-19 vaccines purchased, into Uganda on time since there was much competition from global purchasers for these vaccines as most of developed countries choose vaccine nationalism. The first batch of Sinovac was delivered by China in July, 2021, with 300,000 doses, whereas the second batch was delivered in October, 2021. Alongside the vaccines, emergency medical equipment was delivered along in order to secure protection of the health workers who were tirelessly fighting to save lives in Uganda.

A lot more can be said for China’s contribution in its partnership with Uganda, but so has PRC benefitted. The first of such is the ever-growing market base for Chinese products. Whereas the two countries continue to further deepen their relationships in order to have more market penetration availed for Uganda into PRC, the present revenue attained by PRC from their exports in Uganda is of commanding value. More similarly can be said for the other partnerships that have been formed such as the Oil exploration in Uganda and grant of tenders and contracts to Chinese companies especially in industrialization and construction. A lot can be said equally via agriculture, the road and belt initiative, vocational trainings, education, and many other alike.

The exchange programs on both diplomacy and culture have however been the strongest foundation as the citizens of the two countries keep sharing experiences, lessons, and solutions to present challenges. Some of these are the China-Africa Friendship Association Uganda, Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation.

In 1962 when the relations commenced, neither of the two countries would have believed they’d register their current successes in 2022, at the time of first formalization. It is a precedent set for the future of PRC and Uganda, and a reflection for ways to buttress the relations already existing. It’s therefore a kind hope to the future, that another additional 60 years will be celebrated by Uganda and the People’s Republic of China as the two nations strive to achieve common prosperity by building a common of shared future for mankind.

Alan Collins Mpewo is a layer and Research Fellow, Sino-Uganda Research Centre.

 

BRICS should focus on big issues to build ideal world

Posted on By Sino Uganda Research Centre

By Moshi Israel.

The highly anticipated meeting between president of China Xi Jinping and the Russian President Vladmir Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) took place in Uzbekistan on the backdrop of deteriorating relations between the two leaders and the collective west. President Xi and Putin generally showed support for each other and encouraged further cooperation in trade. Moscow is very much in need of a new market for its energy and China welcomes the opportunity to acquire cheap gas. An oil and gas pipeline deal were discussed between Russia, China and Mongolia and it is supported by the president of Mongolia.  Important on the agenda were security concerns for the two nations and their allies. President Putin was more interested in addressing what he considers the unwarranted dominance of the collective west in the international arena and it is no surprise that he is actively seeking for challengers to the status quo.

This meeting, however, is especially vital for a whole other reason since three of the five core members of BRICS were present. It is significant for the future of BRICS, a coalition of five states, namely; Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. In the last BRICS summit hosted virtually by China, BRICS members committed to expanding the bloc and being more inclusive. Notably, countries like Iran, Argentina and other African nations signaled interest to join the bloc. At the moment the future of the bloc seems assertive enough to challenge the dominance of the western coalition led by the United States in global politics. BRICS members have wide and ambitious objectives that surmise into restructuring the current global political and economic order. However, the vital task at hand is that the bloc should not morph into a mere anti-western hegemony coalition and according to the stated objectives of BRICS, the alliance is well poised to aim beyond that.

Therefore, the expansion of BRICS should be strategically based on a careful review of a potential member’s profile. Being hostile to western hegemony should never become the only qualifying quality for any potential member. It is a fact that unilateral decisions by USA with the often-expected assistance from her allies have caused havoc and crippled entire regions, from the Middle East, Eentral and Southern America, Eastern Europe to Northern and sub-Saharan Africa.

These unilateral and sometimes short-sighted actions have earned the United States a fair number of aggrieved enemies seeking to settle scores and they might view BRICS as a stepping stone to that goal. However, this fact may render BRICS a home to less-than-ideal candidates that may not have the long-term interests of the bloc in mind. Neutral states like India are a necessary ingredient for the bloc long-term even though they might seem like a risky partner in the coalition. This is due to India’s close partnership with the collective west.  However, the risk that India poses to the bloc does not lie in her close partnership with the west but in her belligerent and rocky relationship with China. And this relationship is an important chapter in the bloc’s evolution story.

Though leaders of China and India have proven their capacity to address grievances of the two by meeting and talking, a lasting solution to issues of each side’s concern is much needed and will boast the cooperation and trust of the two largest members of the BRICS. Once such differences are sorted, which is not an easy task but it is one task that must be accomplished, then the bloc will have skipped a major hurdle that stifles many promising partnerships in their infancy.

BRICS should make as priority the political and social integration of all its members, moving past the limiting economic partnerships if it is to challenge the west in any meaningful manner. It takes one look across the aisle to notice that most countries in the western coalition, share almost similar socio-political and economic values despites being geographically and ethnically diverse. Avoiding the trap of being merely anti-west is important because, some western allies can be lured into joining the bloc if the latter has a recognizable and meaningful positive impact on global politics. A meaningful impact on the world ranges from having a comprehensive global security framework that ensures world peace, an economic system that is balanced and beneficial to all encompassing detailed and practical solutions to protecting the environment and tackling the crisis of climate change.

Many challenges lie ahead for BRICS in different pockets of the world and members of BRICS+ will need institutions both financial and political to guide in the implementation of the bloc’s policy goals and objectives. This must be done with expected resistance form the western coalition and her institutions. Observing current statements and ambitions of BRICS member states, it is quite clear that in the long-run the bloc must create a separate financial system form the current western one and this involves convincing potential members and the rest of the world that the BRICS alternative is much better. New Development Bank (BRICS bank) can help in selling this agenda by offering financial assistance to different sectors than its current focus of infrastructure and energy.

This is where developing countries in Africa, South America and Asia can play an important role. China has already made significant in-roads on the African continent economically, Russia is making in-roads militarily in places like Mali, Sudan, Central African Republic and in other west African countries.

One key recipe missing is media presence to foster people-to people diplomacy and strengthen cultural ties, an area where the west has excelled. The west has managed to endear herself to Africa despite all their past atrocities on the continent during and after colonialism. The west has achieved this by opening up opportunities within western borders for talented and ambitious individuals from the African continent and overtime this number of western educated and influenced Africans has significantly increased.

 

When it comes to presence of media from BRICS member states on the continent, there is no competition because the west dominates this area. Though gaining, still China’s CGTN is yet to be felt on ground. For Russia’s RT, arguably, very few know it exist. Advanced Television.com found that in 2020, BBC news in Africa increased its reach to 132 million people a week.

BRICS alliance mechanism aims to promote peace, security, development and cooperation and the surest way to this is through adopting new, unique and innovative approaches to developing alliances and solving problems around the world. This to be felt on ground, as a group or individual member countries, BRICS must invest more in media and sell their ideas of their ideal world they aspire to bring.

BRICS still has an open advantage to expand strategically and create a whole different world, it is made up of emerging economies, a trait that gives its founding members relatability to other developing nations. The alliance, accounts for over 3 billion people which is over 40% of the world’s population and just over a quarter of the global GDP. Therefore, on face value, the alliance has immense potential and this potential has to be realized through strategic expansion. Most importantly, this expansion should not be solely fueled by grievances against the collective west but by a genuine concern for global affairs and a resolute desire to challenge and change the status quo.

The Writer is a Research Fellow at Development Watch Centre

Is OHCHR Human Rights Report on China’s Xinjiang Political?

Posted on By Sino Uganda Research Centre

On Wednesday 31st, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a report in which it accused China of violating human rights of minorities in China’s Xinjiang region. The 45-page report, particularly singled out Uyghur Muslims as victims of its so-called “crimes against humanity.”

China rejected the report arguing it was a plot by the United States (US) and some other anti-China forces in the West to spread anti-China sentiments. Wang Wenbin, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson told press that OHCHR’s report is “totally illegal and invalid,” stressing that “the report is a hodgepodge of misinformation, a political tool used by the West to push its strategy of ‘using Xinjiang to contain China.’”

China has always maintained that there are no rights violation in the region but rather re-education and de-radicalization centres for purposes of countering extremism. Beijing argues that in centres, people are equipped with vocational skills to help them in their daily lives to avert possibility of being lured into committing crimes.

Studies have indicated that on individual level, poverty and terrorism have connections.

President George W. Bush on March 22, 2002, while in Monterrey, Mexico was very clear on this stressing that, “we fight against poverty because hope is an answer to terror.”

Also, commenting on September 11th terror attack, then Senator Barack Obama in a Sept. 19, 2001 issue of the Hyde Park Herald, emphasised connection between poverty and terrorism. Describing terrorism as “tragedy,” Obama explained “most often, though, it grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair. … [W]e will have to devote far more attention to the monumental task of raising the hopes and prospects of embittered children across the globe…,” wrote Obama.

As a president, in his may 2012 address in which he outlined counterterrorism efforts, Obama again showed coloration between poverty and terrorism. “Foreign assistance cannot be viewed as charity.  It is fundamental to our national security and it’s fundamental to any sensible long-term strategy to battle extremism,” Obama argued. He stressed that such aid, would create “reservoirs of goodwill that marginalize extremists.”

This view is also backed by three prominent German economists at University of Freiburg. Sarah Brockhoff, Tim Krieger and Daniel Meierrieks in their country-level analysis paper “Ties that do not Bind (Directly): The Education-Terrorism Nexus Revisited” found evidence that “education may fuel terrorist activity in the presence of poor political and socio-economic conditions, whereas better education in combination with favorable conditions decreases terrorism.”

With that mind, China’s side that the now closed centres were not for rights violations as China’s critics claim but rather re-education centres meant to help in countering terrorism by equipping people in Xinjiang with necessary skills for successful lives holds.

While the report criticises China for alleged violations of minorities’ human rights, this arguably contradicts words of OHCHR commissioner Michelle Bachelet who shortly after her official visit to Xinjiang region, addressed the media on May 28 2022 and acknowledged that “Violent acts of extremism have a terrible, serious impact on the lives of victims, including those tasked to protect the community.”

Bachelet also praised China’s “Poverty alleviation and the eradication of extreme poverty, 10 years ahead of its target date, are tremendous achievements of China. The introduction of universal health care and almost universal unemployment insurance scheme go a long way in ensuring protection of the right to health and broader social and economic rights.” It is therefore strange that the country Bachelet acknowledged to be making progress in upholding human rights less than 4 months ago is the same country she is accusing.

This way, one cannot ignore China’s concerns that OHCHR report is a political tool used by the West to push its strategy of ‘using Xinjiang to contain China’.

Chinese government statistics indicate that Xinjiang has registered steady development socially and economically. Aware that this has been largely achieved through re-education centres, it is not far-fetched to connect OHCHR Xinjiang report to political games in some western capitals.

Indeed, before OHCHR released its report, more than 60 countries and close to 100 non-governmental organizations sent a joint letter to the office of the OHCHR explaining they were opposed to its release giving reasons among others that OHCHR office was being politicized.

China’s 2020 national census revealed that Xinjiang’s Uygur Autonomous population has been steadily rising in the past seven decades with the region’s population standing at 25.85 million. Of this, ethnic minorities’ population is 14.9 million while the Han ethnic group population was 10.9 million.

In health sector, the people of Xinjiang continue to enjoy long life expectancy. For example, in 2019, life expectancy in Xinjiang jumped from 7.3 years recorded in 2000 to 74.7.

Also, infant mortality rate or the mortality of children bellow five years reduced. Maternal mortality rate reduced from 55.5 per 1,000, 65.4 per 1,000, and 161.4 per 100,000 in 2000 to 6.75 per 1,000, 10.91 per 1,000, and 17.89 per 100,000 in 2020.

In education, the number of those attaining education in Xinjiang region is above that of national. Going by 2020 national census, the average of schooling for persons of 15 and above grew from 9.27 years reported in 2010 to 10.11 years in 2020. This is higher than national average figures which stood at 9.91.

If we compare this with 2010 figures, the number of people with university education rose from 10,613 to 16,536 per 100,000 persons. Those with high school education rose from 11,669 to 13,208.

Within the ethnic Uygur population, figure of people attaining education are also encouraging.  The 2020 national census figures indicated, 8,944 per 100,000 Uygurs had received a university education. This is an increase of 6,540 from the year 2000. The average years in education for those aged 15 and above also grew from 7.06 to 9.19.

With such facts, it really becomes difficulty to simply ignore China’s rejection of OHCHR Xinjiang report branding it political. Sadly, such circumstances leave OHCHR with less trust from international community.

To bring back its trust in the international community, the OHCHR should also investigate and publish reports on claims of arbitrary arrests in foreign prions like Guantanamo Bay where it is alleged that the US holds suspects in dehumanizing conditions. Also, reports raised by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in which he accused the US and allies of committing crimes against humanity should be investigated and reports made public. OHCHR should also actively call for unconditional release of Assange who the US is accusing of revealing their secrets which many human rights activists say is US’ retaliation against Assange who exposed US’ alleged crimes against humanity.

Allawi Ssemanda is a senior research Fellow at Sino-Uganda Research Centre.

 

OHCHR Human Rights Assessment on Xinjiang: Its Objectivity Questionable

Posted on By Sino Uganda Research Centre

On the 31’st day of August, 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (hereinafter referred OHCHR) issued a document it titled the “OHCHR Assessment of human rights concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China” which it sought to issue to the government of the People’s Republic of China.

A few hours after the OHCHR released the subject document, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mr. Wang Wenbin, in a televised statement, referred to the OHCHR’s document as false, invalid, and rather another way of trying to punch down on the People’s Republic of China.

On the same day the OHCHR document was released, the permanent mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations office at Geneva issued a counter document titled “Fight against terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang: Truth and Facts”, as a way of debunking the claims that had been cited by OHCHR. Someone with an interested in International Relations would therefore term the unfolding of these events as interesting, but also telling.

The Xinjiang question has been a global talk for a long time now. China’s critics especially some West led by the U.S have in recent months been citing Xinjiang to launch attacks against Beijing.

However, in the same spirit, the claims of diminishing transparency by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights office are equally piling up. As to credibility therefore, there’s growing retraction of the same in many people.

The question of human rights raises eyebrows, and often has unsettling repercussions when global actors get involved. This makes the subject fragile and calls for conclusive care to detail when dealing with claims. Among the objectives of OHCHR is to speak out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide.

In dispensing the cited objective, the OHCHR is required to act in a way that isn’t influenced by any opinions, or partisan. Whether the OHCHR was objective in its assessment, is to be answered by its very report and arguably, by asking ourselves why is OHCHR not investigating other human rights violations where the US is mentioned?

The fact that OHCHR released its Xinjiang report against advice of more than 60 countries and close to 100 non-governmental organizations that sent a joint letter to OHCHR opposing its release among others reasoning OHCHR office was being politicized, this should ring warning bells!

China, has consistently maintained that the OHCHR has overtime been swayed to Western interests, specifically the United States of America, than to the collective interests of the rest of its members. Some of the OHCHR actions to suggest so, have in recent years been tested with the incidents in claims of human rights abuse by US led coalition forces in Afghanistan, Iraq, NATO led forces in Libya among others.

Also, claims of untold human rights violation by US forces in foreign prisons and detention centers such as in Guantanomo Bay cannot be ignored. Also, OHCHR has been silent when it comes to open secret of apartheid and occupational Israel forces in Palestine’s Gaza. In this case we can ask: OHCHR is well aware of said claims. Why are they silent with no single official investigation done in said areas if they are neutral? Cob web of politics? Has OHCHR become so political that it only carries investigations with political lenses? These questions cannot be ignored especially that China is clearly accusing OHCHR of being politically influenced by Washington and some Western capitals.

In 2019, the US angrily announced it was revoking and or denying visas to International Criminal Court prosecutors involved in investigating actions of alleged US troops crimes against humanity in Afghanistan. Then US secretary of State Mike Pompeo further threatened that Washington would take further steps like economic sanctions should ICC go ahead with its investigations.

Further, in the OHCHR’s report, the word “may” was repeatedly used. The auxiliary verb ‘may’ is often used interchangeably with ‘might’, which directs to uncertainty. The OHCHR was consistent with using the said word with most of the key claims of human rights violations by the China. Human Rights violation claims are so contentious that such claims on an international scale can spur unprecedented consequences. The OHCHR made a case of uncertainty, that even the said office, wasn’t sure of the claims they cited.

In the wake of modern terrorism, it’s important that each society establishes practical measures to curb the terrorist activities. The struggle against terrorism become more challenging when the alleged terrorist are on domestic soil. The OHCHR’s Assessment is typical of playing global politics, an ideology it’s not bound to take part.

It has come off to play the religious oppression card to advance anti-China agenda, arguably to control China’s growing global influence. China has consistently showed a revolutionary method of curbing extremism in which it has established Vocational training and education centers in Xinjiang, where some of the culprits are taken through a reasonable time to overturn the dangerous mentality before being reintroduced into society with life changing positive skills.

As president Obama once observed, in a 2001 issue of the Hyde Park Herald, where he described terrorism as “tragedy,” “most often, though, it grows out of a climate of poverty and ignorance, helplessness and despair… [W]e will have to devote far more attention to the monumental task of raising the hopes and prospects of embittered children across the globe…” Therefore, China devoting more by establishing re-education centres to address extremism should not be politicised.

Therefore, condemning China for introducing re-education centres is a keen to being incentive to the tragedies experienced in counties of Urumqi (2009), Shache (2014), Baicheng (2015), Luntai (2014), Shanshan (2013), Moyu (2016), among others.

It’s indeed an appreciated tenet of International Human Rights Law for countries to observe legally and demonstrably justifiable human rights limitation practices as they encounter threats. But while the OHCHR drafted its report to which it isn’t certain of the truthfulness of its allegations evidenced by constant use of the word “may”, it was important to objectively, as one of its objectives suggestions, to seek out the national interest successes met by China during its fight against extremism. Going forward, perhaps OHCHR will have to revisit its modus operandi and seek out to show its riddled transparency in execution of its duties, otherwise, this leaves OHCHR’s impartiality including its Xinjiang report questionable in eyes right thinking people.

Alan Collins Mpewo, is a Lawyer and a Research Fellow, Sino-Uganda Research Centre.