Geneva (ANI). During the inaugural session of the 45^th meeting of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Higher Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet voiced her concerns over a number of topics. She especially expressed great apprehension over reports of China’s human rights abuses with regards to the Uyghurs.

Particular grievances were underlined. The subject of forced family planning and efforts of mass sterilization in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, with claims that the Government has been suppressing the Muslim minority group were primary ones. Expressing apprehensions about the situation, her statement consisted of her desire to work with the Chinese Government in resolving the issue. She, moreover, eyed the controversial National Security Law recently passed in Hong Kong by the Communist Party of China with a critical lens and urged for enforcement of strong monitoring policies on the enforcement practices, with emphasis on the impacts it may have on the human rights of the people.

Significant focus was also put on Pakistan and Afghanistan. Alongside restrictions on the “freedoms of expression and association” in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Bachelet deemed the impediments people encountered in accessing educational and other integral services, due to limited internet access worrying. She also pressed on the necessity of an urgent dialogue between the Afghan Government and the Taliban to resolve the ongoing conflict that has accounted for massive casualties claiming around 3,500 civilian lives this year.