World Uyghur Congress, 24 July 2020

NEWS

WUC Joins Coalition to End Forced Labour in East Turkistan
On July 23, 72 Uyghur rights groups are joined by over 100 civil society organisations and labour unions from around the world in calling on apparel brands and retailers to stop using forced labour in East Turkistan, and end their complicity in the Chinese government’s human rights abuses.The groups have issued a call to action seeking brand commitments to cut all ties with suppliers implicated in forced labour and end all sourcing from the Uyghur Region, from cotton to finished garments, within twelve months. 

The supply chains of most major apparel brands and retailers are tainted by Uyghur forced labour. Major corporations claim not to tolerate forced labour by their suppliers, but have offered no credible explanation as to how they can meet this standard while continuing to do business in a region where forced labour is rife. 

Maajid Nawaz was on Hunger Strike to Support Uyghurs
The WUC thanks Maajid Nawaz, author, activist and co- founder of the counter-extremism organisation Quilliam International, for standing up for Uyghurs. Mr. Nawaz went on a hunger strike to stop Uyghur genocide and to  secure a debate in the UK parliament on the imposition of sanctions through the Magnitsky Act style legislation on individuals aiding the Chinese government implementing genocidal policies in East Turkistan. With his actions Mr. Nawaz criticised the internatioal community, particularly the Muslim-majority countriesfor ignoring the situation and the overwhelming evidence.

Mr. Nawaz announced that he will continue until the Parliamentary petition reaches 100,000 signatures qualifying it for consideration for a debate in the UK Parliament. His petition reached the petition mark on Sunday.

The WUC is profoundly grateful for this initiative that moved the entire community. In response, WUC’s President, Dolkun Isa said: ‘’We are deeply appreciative of his brave action against China’s ongoing atrocities against the Uyghur people. It is very meaningful for Uyghurs, we will never forget his strong support in times of crisis’’. 

WUC Representative Speaks at Jewish News Panel
On July 23, WUC head of the London office, Rahima Mahmut, spoke on a panel entitled “Chilling Echoes: The plight of the Uyghurs and why we must act”. This panel featured also Mia Hansenson-Gross, Executive Director at Rénee Cassin, Maajid Nawa, author, activist and co- founder of the counter-extremism organisation Quilliam International, and Alistair Camichael, British MP. You can watch the full panel here!

WUC Representative on Good Morning Britain
On July 23, Rahima Mahmut, artist, activist and WUC representative in London, and British MP, Nus Ghani were interviewed by Good Morning Britain on the genocide that is happening in East Turkistan. Ms. Mahmut shared her personal story of how her family is affected by the severe human rights violations committed by the CCP. Ms. Ghani and Ms. Mahmut were urging the international community to put pressure on the Chinese government to end the egregious crimes perpetrated against the Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim-majority peoples. 

France Criticising China’s Actions towards Uyghurs
The Foreign Affairs Minister of France, Jean-Yves le Drian, condemned the CCP’s oppression of Uyghurs in the French parliament. “All these actions are unacceptable. We condemn them firmly,” he said and calles on the Chinese government  to allow independent access to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

Hearing in the Canadian Parliament
From July 19 to July 20, the Canadian House of Common subcommittee on human rights held a hearing with Uyghur activists and experts on the Uyghur abuses in China. The new report by Dr. Adrian Zenz on mass incarnation and forced sterilization was at the heart of the discussion. Among the testifying experts were also Mr. Zenz and former Canadian justice minister Irwin Cotler.  In his statement Mr. Cotler said, “What makes that genocide so unspeakable is that it was preventable. Nobody could say we did not know [about Rwanda]. We knew but we did not act. Just as now with regard to the Uighurs, nobody could say that we do not know. We know and we must act.”

Canadian Parliament adopted a Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act which allows the Canadian government to freeze assets and ban the human rights abusers from entering the country. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister mentioned that he is “consulting with the international community”. 

Urumqi in Lock-down 
The WUC is highly concerned about the outbreak of coronavirus cases in Urumqi city, as it was reported by CNN on July 20. In order to stop the spread of the virus the Chinese government decided to close the entire city, cancel 90% of all the flights and lock everybody in their homes.  

In February, the Chinese government had imposed a lock-down in East Turkistan without appropriate warning, and the residents faced a range of problems, such as food shortage. However the current situation with coronavirus pandemic can seriously worsen the situation of Uyghurs who are detained in overcrowded internment camps. 

Maajid Nawaz is on Hunger Strike to Support Uyghurs
The WUC thanks Maajid Nawaz, author, activist and co- founder of the counter-extremism organisation Quilliam International, for standing up for Uyghurs. Mr. Nawaz went on a hunger strike to stop Uyghur genocide and to  secure a debate in the UK parliament on the imposition of sanctions through the Magnitsky Act style legislation on individuals aiding the Chinese government implementing genocidal policies in East Turkistan. With his actions Mr. Nawaz criticised the internatioal community, particularly the Muslim-majority countriesfor ignoring the situation and the overwhelming evidence.

Mr. Nawaz announced that he will continue until the Parliamentary petition reaches 100,000 signatures qualifying it for consideration for a debate in the UK Parliament. His petition reached the petition mark on Sunday.

The WUC is profoundly grateful for this initiative that moved the entire community. In response, WUC’s President, Dolkun Isa said: ‘’We are deeply appreciative of his brave action against China’s ongoing atrocities against the Uyghur people. It is very meaningful for Uyghurs, we will never forget his strong support in times of crisis’’. 

WUC Representative Live on Euronews
On July 20, WUC Program and Advocacy Manager, Zumretay Arkin, spoke on Euronews about the recent escalation of human rights crimes in East Turkistan. Ms. Arkin called on the international community to push for a resolution in the UN General Assembly to send independent experts to investigate the gross human rights violations committed by the Chinese government against the Uyghurs. 

WUC Representative Live on AJ+ Français
On July 23, WUC Program and Advocacy Manager, Zumretay Arkin spoke on AJ+Français on the new evidence of forced sterilization and forced labour widespread in East Turkistan. She also introduced the newly launched coalition ‘’End Uyghur Forced Labour’’.