UN panel questions China on ethnic discrimination
Associated Press , Geneva Mon, 08/10/2009 9:30 PM World

A U.N. panel on racism has questioned China over its treatment of ethnic minorities in the fractious regions of Xinjiang and Tibet.

The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has asked China to respond to rights group reports that indigenous people in those regions are discriminated against.

Ethnic tension in Xinjian boiled over into public unrest last month in which 197 people died.

China's delegation says the country's law forbids discrimination based on race or descent.

But the 18-member panel Monday pointed to media and activist reports that minorities face systematic disadvantages when it comes to accessing jobs, health care and schooling.

The Geneva-based panel will publish its findings Aug. 28.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/10/un-panel-questions-china-ethnic-discrimination.html