Six lies about the July 5 riots from so-called human rights defenders
- Source: Global Times
- [08:11 July 22 2009]
- Comments
Although they claim to be so-called human right guardians, many overseas human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Reporters Without Borders have been confusing right and wrong, and ignoring justice in the reports about the July 5 riots in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Six lies from these reports again expose the "double standards" they adopt in the press.
Lie NO. 1: The July 5 violence was a peaceful assemble
Amnesty International said that protesters were "peacefully expressing their views and exercising their freedom of expression, association and assembly".
However, what happened on July 5 in Xinjiang was a brutal event of widespread looting, assault, arson and murder. The death toll rose to 197 with serious property damage. Two hundred and sixty vehicles were smashed and torched and 209 stores and two buildings were burned, covering 56,850 square meters. It was the deadliest unrest in Xinjiang since the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The July 5 violence directly targeted innocent people and goes against the basic principle of human morals to show sympathy to those sabotaging social stability and exercising the act of violence. However, these human rights guardianrs seem to disregard the facts and figures. The way they described the riots as “peaceful” clearly proves how hypocritical the guardians are.
Lie NO. 2: The Chinese government suppressed Uygurs by force
An article titled China: Exercise Restraint in Xinjiang on the Human Rights Watch website condemned the Chinese government and said, "In responding to protests, China should respect universal norms on proportionate use of force and refraining from the use of deadly force except where necessary to protect life…"
The fact is when the unrest took place, the local and the central government dispatched the Chinese People's Army Police Force to conduct security missions, restored public order and arrested the criminals.
Many western countries never hesitated to call up their forces to crack down on riots in order to protect their own civilians in history, such as the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 in the US and the turbulence that lasted over 10 days in France in 2005 that spread to hundreds of towns. This has proved to be an efficient way of establishing order quickly.
The right to life and security of its citizens is protected by Chinese law. The Chinese government took control of the riots in accordance with international laws and should deserve a fair report.
Lie NO. 3: The Chinese government intervened in judicial procedure
Most of the criminals have been arrested. The judicial department is carrying out a strict procedure to collect evidence and conduct trials. From putting the case on file for investigation to prosecution, legal procedure has been ongoing step-by-step.
The masterminds of the riots will be severely punished regardless of their family background or ethnicity. Also, the defendants' right to defend and hire a lawyer will be guaranteed by Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China.
