Commentary
To much fanfare from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its state-run media, the United Nation’s human rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, concluded her visit to China and its Xinjiang region on May 28. The outcome is a complete travesty, at least at first glance.
The consistent murmur within the civil society sector from the announcement of the trip rapidly turned into a global outcry at the apparent failure of her trip, with both the United States and European Union blasting the visit in unusually strong language.
But, perhaps, there is more to this visit than meets the eye?
From the very beginning of her appointment, Bachelet—who has twice been president and left office with strong popular support—was seen as at least competent, though not necessarily inspiring. Long before being elected as the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, she was already well-traveled and held extensive experience outside of Chile….