Federal Foreign Office of Germany, 27 June 2013

Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Markus Löning today (27 June) issued a statement on the incidents in Xinjiang:

I am horrified by the most recent incidents in which so many people lost their lives once more in Xinjiang. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the victims and their families.

I expect the Chinese Government to guarantee a transparent inquiry into what happened and ensure due process of law for those arrested.

As the Chinese Government does not permit the press to report freely, it is difficult to assess the situation in Xinjiang. I call upon the Chinese Government to allow more transparency and grant journalists access.

Reports on the ongoing discrimination and suppression of Uighurs make me extremely concerned. The Chinese Government should finally come up with a policy on Xinjiang to defuse the existing tension. Indispensable here is protection for the cultural and religious human rights of the Uighurs, as well as an end to their economic marginalization.
Background:
According to press reports, 27 people lost their lives yesterday during violent clashes in Lukqun in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Earlier this month, several people are said to have died in violence in Ghorachol, Xinjiang. A news blackout was imposed on the incidents.
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2013/130627-MRHH_Xinjiang.html?nn=382590