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Uyghur Congress Applauds European Parliament Resolution, Urges Concrete Action

Uyghur Congress Applauds European Parliament Resolution, Urges Concrete Action

World Uyghur Congress, 5 October 2018

The World Uyghur Congress applauds the adoption of an Urgency Resolution by European Parliament on October 4th by a group of Members related to China’s use of internment camps holding over one million Uyghurs and Kazakhs in East Turkistan. Although the Resolution sends a strong signal to China in terms of European attention to the camps, much more is required in terms of concrete action going forward.

During the Plenary Session, a number of European Parliament Members called on all EU member states to raise the camps at all levels of dialogue with China. Putting it bluntly, MEP Ignazio Corrao said, “Concentration camps are back. There are no other words to describe what is happening in Xinjiang.”

Other MEPs stressed the need for the EU to take immediate action including MEP Fabio Castaldo who said, “Europe cannot and should not continue with this shameful business as usual approach with China,” with still others supporting adherence to the non-refoulement principle in terms of deportations from abroad. Both Germany and Sweden recently introduced migration policies halting the forced return of all Uyghurs and Turkic Muslims to China.

Alluding to the absolute lack of response from the international community, MEP Wajid Khan of S&D Group said that, “If any other country arbitrarily detained one million people, there would be an immediate response […] Sadly this resolution is not a breakthrough, but merely an expression on concern.”

Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa, who was present in Strasbourg for the adoption of the resolution, and recognized by several MEPs during their statements said, “I am indeed encouraged by the resolution and thank the members for their crucial attention to the issue. We need to take this as a first step to keep pushing Europe to respond right away to what’s even happening to the family members of EU citizens.”

Though the landmark resolution provides even greater recognition to the unfolding human rights emergency in East Turkistan, it is merely a first step in terms of the European Union’s approach with China. There is a desperate need for follow-up to the resolution including an immediate independent investigation by EU authorities, substantive dialogue with Chinese authorities on the camps and the consideration of economic penalties for gross rights violations.

Read the text of the Resolution here.