Uighur riots

Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the European parliament, has expressed grave concern about the bloody clashes in Xinjiang. In a statement released by his office, Poettering described reports about how the protests had been handled as "deeply disturbing." He called on both sides to exercise calm and restraint and urged the Chinese authorities to fully respect human rights, "especially the right to freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration."

In an interview with DW-TV, German Human Rights Commissioner Guenther Nooke on Monday also spoke out against the eruption of violence between China and Uighurs in the Xinjiang province.

Deutsche Welle: How does the German government view the events in the Xinjiang province?

Guenther Nooke: We have not been in a position to come to an official assessment because not enough information has been made available yet, but of course we know that there have been ongoing problems with the Uighurs because they are seen by the leaders in Beijing, and by the Chinese in general, as suspected terrorists. This has led to tensions between the Han Chinese and the Uighurs.

What sort of influence can the German government exercise?

I think we have to call on the Beijing leadership to act in accordance with the rule of law, even if there are grey areas, and properly investigate situations like the one in the toy factory in southern China, which seems to have sparked the unrest, and that they refrain from reacting with disproportionate force. That is unacceptable, no matter what factors may have contributed to it, including the possibility that demonstrators committed acts of violence.

Interview: Dirk Jacobs (mrm)

Editor: Chuck Penfold