UN vote to ignore human rights abuses in China leaves west in dead end

A high-security facility in Xinjiang province near what is believed to be a re-education camp where mostly Muslim ethnic minorities are detained. Photograph: Greg Baker/AFP/Getty

In a display of raw Chinese political power, the UN has voted to turn its back on a report written by its own human rights commissioner that accused Beijing of serious human rights abuses and possible crimes against humanity in Xinjiang province.

The 47-strong UN human rights council meeting in Geneva voted on Thursday by 19 to 17 to reject an American-led call for a debate on the report at the next human rights council in spring. Eleven countries abstained. A simple majority was required.