CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, :30 PM
Contact: contact@campaignforuyghurs.org
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Campaign for Uyghurs www.campaignforuyghurs.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) extends its gratitude to the House of Representatives for today’s overwhelming support in favor of H.R. 2766, the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023, with a resounding 414 affirmative votes. The bill was introduced in the House on April 20, 2023 by U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) and co-sponsored by Representative Ami Bera (CA-6) , and was approved unanimously by the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) on November 29, 2023.
The Uyghur Policy Act of 2023, a bill “To support the human rights of Uyghurs and members of other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and safeguard their distinct identity, and for other purposes,” advocates for increased U.S. support and justice for Uyghurs suffering genocide in East Turkistan.
The bill requires that a Special Coordinator for Uyghur issues be appointed within the State Department. This role will specifically promote the protection and preservation of the distinct ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic identities of the Uyghurs. The Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 calls on the U.S. Government to develop a strategy, in coordination with like-minded countries, to pressure the PRC to close all detention facilities and push for the immediate release of those detained. It also makes Uyghur language training available for Foreign Service Officers (FSO) and requires at least one Uyghur-speaking officer to be assigned to a U.S. diplomatic or consular mission in China. Additionally, the bill supports U.S. efforts to raise Uyghur issues at the United Nations, including the appointment of a special rapporteur or working group for the region to monitor human rights violations and abuses.
Rushan Abbas, the Executive Director of CFU, expressed approval of the passage stating “The passage of HR 2766 is an essential act by Congress to continue combatting the ongoing genocide being perpetrated upon the Uyghurs in East Turkistan. We are pleased that this bill creates the position of ‘United States Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues’ in the State Department. Congress has indeed shown that they are taking the fight against the Uyghur genocide seriously, and we are grateful to the legislators who have taken a stand for justice.”
CFU commends the leadership of the bill’s sponsors and the bipartisan support it has garnered. CFU calls on the Senate’s swift passage of this bill and eagerly anticipates its eventual enactment into law.
