NEWS

UN Human Rights Council Votes Down a Debate on the Human Rights Situation in East Turkistan
On October 8th, the U.N. rights council voted down a resolution to hold a debate about human rights abuses by China against Uyghurs and other Muslims in East Turkistan. 17 Members of the Human Rights Council voted in favour, 11 abstained, and 19 countries voted against. This is only the second time in the council’s 16-year history that a motion has been rejected and is seen by observers as a setback to both accountability efforts and the credibility of the Human Rights Council itself.

The World Uyghur Congress, in a joint statement with 66 Uyghur organisations from 20 countries, called upon UN agencies and experts to take concrete action according to their mandates. “This is a missed opportunity by Council members to hold China to the same standard as other countries,” said Dolkun Isa, President of the World Uyghur Congress. “The international community cannot fail the victims of the Uyghur genocide.”

Chinese Authorities Extend Tight Control Measures over Covid-19 Concerns
On October 5th, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that Chinese authorities had imposed a travel ban in East Turkistan to further prevent the spread of the latest Covid-19 outbreak. Under the ban, residents cannot leave the region unless it is absolutely necessary. Trains and buses destined for places outside the region have nearly stopped operating, and the number of flights has been drastically reduced. People are not allowed to drive their own vehicles outside this area. 

Uyghur groups fear that the travel ban, implemented just after lifting the extremely oppressive lockdowns and other anti-Covid measures in East Turkistan, might also be an attempt for the Chinese government to have an extremely tight control on the Uyghur population ahead of the CCP Party Congress. On September 30th, RFA reported that at least 13 Uyghurs have died as a result of poisoning from disinfectants sprayed in their homes last week. According to locals, authorities have been spraying inner walls, furniture, bedding as well as inside refrigerators in homes in the region.

Global Day of Action on October 1st to Protest China’s Human Rights Record
On October 1st, which marks the national day of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), protesters gathered in cities around the world to protest against the Chinese regime’s ongoing persecution of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kongers, Taiwanese, as well as Chinese human rights defenders.

In London, WUC UK Director Rahima Mahmut addressed a mass protest, highlighting the severe repression of Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans and others under Chinese rule. She further highlighted how Uyghurs refuse to remain silent, despite facing constant threats from agents of the Chinese state while in exile overseas.

Norwegian Parliament Organises a Hearing on the Uyghur Human Rights Situation
On October 17th, the Norwegian Parliament will hold a hearing to discuss the atrocity crimes being carried out against the Uyghur people in East Turkistan. The hearing is a joint initiative of the Norwegian Uyghur Committee, The Green Party (MDG), Uyghur Transnational Justice Database, The liberal party (Venstre), World Uyghur Congress, The Christian Democratic Party (Krf) and The Socialist Left Party (SV). Speakers include several Members of Parliament, camp survivors, as experts including WUC President, Dolkun Isa.

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Support Uyghurs’ Genocide & Crimes Against Humanity Case in Argentina
The World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Human Rights Project have launched a criminal case in the courts of Argentina in relation to the international crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity being committed against the Uyghur people. Please donate and be a part of this historical case.

Ask Volkswagen to Close its Plant in East Turkistan
Despite growing evidence of the ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs, Volkswagen continues to operate in East Turkistan. The World Uyghur Congress is collecting signatures to demand Volkswagen to close down its plant in Urumqi. Please sign here.