Japan, Australia raise concerns about reported abuses in China

A member of the Uyghur community holds a placard as she joins a demonstration to recognize alleged persecution of China’s Muslim minority Uyghur people as genocide and crimes against humanity AFP FILE PHOTO

Japan and Australia said on Wednesday they had “serious concerns” about reported human rights abuses against Uyghur and other Muslim minorities in China’s Xinjiang region.

In a joint statement, they also expressed concern about recent moves that they said weakened Hong Kong’s democratic institutions, and grave concerns about the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

The meeting, between the foreign and defense ministers of both nations, took place via video conferencing.