NEWS

Record Number of UN Member States Condemn China’s Crimes Against Uyghurs

On October 31st, 50 UN Member States issued a joint statement condemning the Chinese government’s atrocity crimes against the Uyghur people, following the conclusions of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) report. It was the largest group of states to publicly denounce Beijing’s human rights violations against Uyghurs. The statement was presented to UN member states by Canada at a meeting of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, which focuses on human rights.

Following the statement, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) called upon The new UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, to take ownership of the OHCHR report and brief HRC members.

German Chancellor Scholz Visits China amidst Heavy Criticism from Rights Groups

On November 4th, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to Beijing, holding talks with President Xi Jinping. Ahead of this visit, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) joined 70 organisations in an open letter to urge the Chancellor to reconsider his trip, warning him that the visit runs counter to Germany’s human rights commitments. The letter pointed out the exponential growth in gross and widespread human rights abuses within China and the active efforts to undermine the international rules-based order and restrict fundamental freedoms around the globe.

On November 1st, these points were reiterated by WUC President Dolkun Isa, who spoke at the Bundespressekonferenz in Berlin to discuss the German government’s China strategy and the Chancellor’s China trip. “This is not a time for friendly dialogue and “business as usual”. The severity of the Uyghur genocide demands a strong and principled response”, Mr. Isa stated.

Debate on the M62 Motion in the Canadian Parliament

On October 26th, the WUC welcomed the first debate on the M-62 motion in the Canadian parliament, which requests the Canadian government to create a resettlement program to expedite the entry of 10,00 Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. The motion debated in Parliament last week received unanimous support. ‘’This is an incredibly important motion, not only because of its magnitude, but also because it directly offers help to victims of the Uyghur genocide,’’ said WUC President, Dolkun Isa.

The motion was first introduced on June 20, 2022 by MP Sameer Zuberi. It follows the recognition by the Canadian Parliament of the Uyghur genocide in February 2021, where the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development made an explicit recommendation that the government should ‘’use existing refugee programs and create an exceptional stream to expedite’’ the entry of Uyghur and other Turkic refugees into Canada.

​​Genocide Determination Bill Introduced in the UK

On October 28th, British MP Lord David Alton proposed the new Genocide Determination Bill to compel the UK government to call out genocide where it exists. At the second reading in the House of Lord, it was backed enthusiastically and committed to a Committee of the Whole House for further consideration. The proposed Bill would empower individuals or communities to apply to a court for a preliminary determination where there was a serious risk of genocide or where a genocide was being or had been committed. The verdict would then be referred to the country standing accused of the crime, to other countries that are parties to the Genocide Convention and to the International Court of Justice and the UN Security Council.

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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.