UNHCR CALLS IN CHINESE EMBASSY ON DEPORTED UIGHURS

C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 001263 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019 TAGS: CH PREF PREL PHUM CB SUBJECT: UNHCR CALLS IN CHINESE EMBASSY ON DEPORTED UIGHURS Classified By: Peter Mulrean, RMA Counselor, Reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) UNHCR Asia Bureau Director Kasidis Rochanakorn met with Chinese Mission Counselor for Human Rights Bo Qian December 22 regarding the 20 Uighurs deported by Cambodia back to China December 19. Qian had postponed the meeting the previous day while waiting for instructions from Beijing. Kasidis told RMA Counselor that Qian read a prepared statement and stuck to those points throughout the meeting. The statement said that Cambodia had deported 20 Chinese citizens according to its national immigration law and that China had received them in accordance with Chinese law. He noted that, among the 20 was a "leader" of the July 2009 disturbances in Xinjiang, named Mohamed Ali Kameedeen (phonetic). There were four others in the group also wanted on charges related to these events (no names offered). Qian stated that they were wanted on charges that included arson and illegal manufacture of explosives and would be given due process under the Chinese legal system. ¶2. (C) Rochanakorn said he told Qian that both China's and UNHCR's reputation had been damaged in the handling of the Uighur cases and they needed to find a way together to redress the situation. He asked for information on the wherabouts of the 20 Uighurs, as well as any planned criminal proceedings. Next, he said UNHCR would like access to all twenty individuals. The visit could be by UNHCR Beijing staff. If the goverment preferred, Rochanakorn was prepared to go himself, or they could send a UNHCR protection officer who is a Chinese national. Qian said he would report the request back to Beijing for a response. Rochanakorn said that, depending on the reply, High Commissioner Guterres may wish to speak to a senior official in Beijing. GRIFFITHS