Experts attend a side-event on China's human rights protection of ethnic minorities amid the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, July 2, 2019.

China has adopted a series of measures to combat extremism and safeguard people's rights in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region over the past decades and achieved notable results in socioeconomic development, experts said at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva from September 9 to 27.

A conference on "The Fight Against Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang" was held by the China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS) on Monday at the Palais des Nations during the session, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

It outlined the achievements of the struggle against extremism in Xinjiang and protection of human rights. More than 50 participants from various governments, relevant international organizations and non-governmental organizations attended the conference.

Chairing the meeting, Wu Leifen, deputy secretary-general of the CSHRS, said that Xinjiang was once deeply threatened by religious extremism, violent terrorism and ethnic separatist activities, leading to the violation of local people's basic human rights. To tackle these problems, Xinjiang has adopted a series of measures in recent years and achieved good results. 

Gu Yingsu, a council member of CSHRS, believes that the improvement of the protection of the rights of women and children is an important sign of social progress. 

Since the 1990s, religious extremism spread widely in Xinjiang, seriously affecting the normal lives of the local people.

Echoing her remarks, Gu recalled how religious extremism had seriously affected the normal lives of the local people and inflicted substantial harm on women and children, according to Xinhua.

Wuji'ahamaiti Tuerxun, president of the Xinjiang Uyghur Medical College, said that due to religious extremism, for a long time, it was difficult for medical knowledge and skills to reach many people.

In recent years, he said, the government has vigorously implemented a series of de-radicalization efforts, such as providing vocational education and training for locals, which has had a remarkable effect and won heartfelt support from the people.

Xinjiang has not seen any criminal terrorist attacks since December 2016.

In 2018, the region registered more than 150 million visits, up over 40 percent year-on-year. China's positive exploration and achievements in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization have provided valuable experience for the whole world, said experts.

Global Times - Xinhua