An overseas-based Uighur group urged the IOC on Thursday to reconsider holding the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because of what it says is China's "genocide" of the Uighur population.
China's ruling Communist Party is under growing international pressure over the fate of minorities in its northwestern region of Xinjiang.
China says the camps are "vocational education centres" necessary to counter religious extremism and boost employment.
In an open letter to International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress (WUC) accused China of "committing genocide, crimes against humanity and torture against the Uighur and other Turkic peoples" in Xinjiang.
"For the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the IOC Evaluation Commission considered the views of independent NGOs with respect to a number of issues including human rights," the spokesperson said.
"We will continue to discuss Games-related issues, when necessary, with the organisers as part of the Games preparation process.".
Beijing, which hosted the 2008 Olympics, is set to be the first city to stage a Summer and Winter Olympics. »
