This thesis examines the United Nations' capacity and limitations in adressing human rights issues when a major power is at the center of criticism, with a particular focus on China's actions in Xinjiang. The study is based on a qualitative text analysis of previous research and key documents. A constructivist perspective forms the main theoretical framework, complemented by insights from realism and liberalism, in order to capture the interplay between power, norms, and international institutions.
The analysis shows that the UN's ability to act is constrained, mainly due to the interests of powerful states and the use of veto power in the Security Council. At the same time, the findings demonstrate that China does not only defend itself against criticism but also seeks to reshape the language of human rights by emphasizing sovereignty, non-interference, and the right to development. These competing perspectives generate norm conflicts that both limit the UN's effectiviness and, in some cases, contribute to the reinterpretation and evolution of human rights norms.
The thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how great power strategies shape the UN's human rights agenda and highlights the tensions that arise when universal norms encounter geopolitical interests.