Press Release – For Immediate Release
30 June 2023
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
0049 (0) 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

On June 30, the EU published their European Council Conclusions on China, “reaffirming the EU’s multifaceted policy approach towards China”, and continuing their engagement “to tackle global challenges”. Moreso, the EU welcomed the resumption of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which the World Uyghur Congress and other civil society organisations have previously raised their concerns with, calling on the EU and its Member States to prioritise strong and concrete human rights outcomes across all areas of their relations with China and to suspend the EU-China human rights dialogue until it can be a meaningful and effective exchange. 

Amidst the magnitude of China’s growing human rights violations and genocide against Uyghurs, the European Union has the responsibility to recalibrate its strategy to ensure that EU efforts are aimed at fully addressing China’s human rights record, and at defending the international human rights system from the Chinese government’s assault. “The EU Council’s conclusions fall short on seriously addressing the continuous human rights violations, including the genocide against Uyghurs committed by the Chinese Communist Party”, says WUC President Dolkun Isa. “For the EU to not implement concrete actions in their relations with China is highly disappointing and sends a message across the world, that the EU values its trade and economic partnership over human rights.” 

Ahead of the European Council the WUC issued a joint letter urging the EU to prioritise strong and concrete human rights outcomes across all areas of relations, which are translated into concrete actions as a concerted, strategic approach to challenge Chinese government policies, practices and narratives that undermine human rights.