On Human Rights Day 2024, U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns called on the People's Republic of China (PRC) to "halt its ongoing abuses in Xinjiang" and urged the release of individuals "unjustly detained" by the PRC. Burns made the statement in a December 10 release.

"We call on the PRC to halt its ongoing abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong and reiterate our deep concern about the PRC's restrictions on fundamental freedoms and use of transnational repression," said Nicholas Burns. "The United States stands by Chinese citizens punished for defending human rights, standing up for human dignity, or simply expressing their beliefs or participating in their religious and cultural practices. We continue to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Gulshan Abbas, Ekpar Asat, Rahile Dawut, Ding Jiaxi, Dong Yuyu, Gao Zhen, Go Sherab Gyatso, Gui Minhai, Guo Feixiong, Huang Xueqin, Jimmy Lai, Lu Siwei, Ilham Tohti, Wang Jianbing, Xu Yan, Xu Zhiyong, Yu Wensheng, Zhang Zhan, and all those who have been unjustly detained by the PRC."

According to a press release from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in the PRC, the United States marked the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by reiterating its concerns regarding China's adherence to international human rights commitments outlined in the UDHR.

The BBC reported that an unofficial UK-based tribunal found that China has committed genocide against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang. The Uyghur Tribunal cited birth control and sterilization measures as primary reasons for their conclusion. The tribunal's panel, composed of lawyers and academics, heard testimonies from more than 70 witnesses over two sets of hearings held in London in June and September 2021.

Human Rights Watch reported that the Chinese government has been carrying out human rights abuses against Uyghurs and Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang, including detention, disappearances, censorship and surveillance, religious persecution, and forced labor. Uyghurs are placed in labor camps referred to as "political re-education camps" by the Chinese Communist Party. Approximately 500,000 Turkic Muslims have been detained in these camps since 2017. Maya Wang, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: "Over the past year, Chinese officials have maintained their abusive 'strike hard' policies, crushing the rights of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims." Wang added that "UN member countries should not stay silent in the face of crimes against humanity."

Nicholas Burns serves as the U.S. Ambassador to China. He was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2021.