Press Release – For immediate release
25 February 2021
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
+49 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) welcomes the passing of a motion in the Dutch House of Representatives, by a cross-party majority, that recognizes China’s abuses against the Uyghur people in East Turkistan as a genocide. The WUC urges the Dutch government to adopt this motion and work together with international allies to put an end to these crimes. 

With the passing of the non-binding motion, the Dutch House of Representatives becomes the first parliament in Europe to recognize the Uyghur genocide. The issue has come under increasing attention within the international community. After the outgoing Secretary of State of the Trump Administration, Mike Pompeo, had formally designated China’s crimes against Uyghurs as a genocide, earlier this week, the Canadian Parliament adopted its own resolution recognizing the Uyghur genocide. Earlier this month, lawyers from the Essex Court Chambers published the first formal legal opinion, which concluded that crimes against humanity and genocide were taking place in East Turkistan. 

“The recognition of the Dutch House of Representatives of the Uyghur genocide is most welcome”, said WUC President Dolkun Isa. “It sets an important precedent in Europe for other European parliamentary bodies to follow. It is key that the Dutch government follows suit, and takes appropriate action in coordination with international allies”.

Additionally, several other motions on various issues related to the Uyghur crisis were proposed by the Dutch Parliament today, though these did not pass. One motion urged the Dutch government to require Dutch companies and businesses with relations in China to analyze their supply chains and assess the risk of forced labour. Other motions urged the Dutch government to pass an import ban on cotton products from East Turkistan; to refrain from accepting the EU-China Investment on Agreement (CAI) without strong and enforceable human rights clauses; and to call for the relocation of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The WUC sincerely thanks the Dutch MPs who have put the Uyghur genocide squarely on the agenda of the Dutch Parliament. Though an increasing number of Parliamentary bodies wordwide are recognizing the Uyghur genocide, it is imperative that national governments listen to these opinions and take an official stance. The world is watching for the international community to do the right thing and take action, which is urgently needed.