Press Release – For immediate release
5 June 2020
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
+49 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

The WUC applauds the formation of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an alliance of legislators from nine global parliaments who have come together to push governments to adopt a tougher stance on China. The IPAC includes prominent parliamentarians and legislators from Australia, Canada, the European Parliament, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The formation of this alliance constitutes a vital step in the defense of human rights for all peoples in China. While numerous efforts to hold China accountable for its serious human rights violations exist, the formation of the IPAC constitutes the first true inter-parliamentary initiative, spanning countries and continents.

This is exactly the kind of cooperation and joint action that the response to the crimes against humanity by the Chinese government against Uyghurs and to the human rights situation in China more broadly has lacked. The Chinese government has sought to divide and silence states and government officials, using its power and influence to stifle criticism and concrete action on the issue.

The IPAC co-chairs have echoed this sentiment, saying in a joint statement:

“No country should have to shoulder this burden on their own. Maintaining international order is all of our responsibility. No nation should be able to freely jeopardize global values and human rights. We, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, stand together to coordinate the response to this great challenge.”

The establishment of this alliance will allow parliamentarians in different countries to coordinate their response and initiatives, across the state and party lines, to take effective joint action on China-related issues. 

The establishment of this group is deeply appreciated and much-needed. The human rights situation has deteriorated to virtually unprecedented levels. Millions of innocent Uyghurs have been arbitrarily detained in internment camps, sent to forced labour facilities, and denied their most basic rights and freedoms for over three years. The Chinese government has committed crimes against humanity and has tried to destroy Uyghur ethnic identity, culture, history, language, and religious belief.

“The WUC warmly welcomes the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China,” stated WUC President Dolkun Isa. “IPAC typifies the international coordination and cooperation necessary to hold the Chinese government accountable for its atrocities and take meaningful action to end the suffering of the Uyghur people.