CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 5:30 PM ET
Sabrina Sohail: sabrina@campaignforuyghurs.org
(650) 703-4523
Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU) expresses deep concern and condemns China’s persistent disregard for human rights and international criticism following Xi Jinping’s recent speech in Urumqi, in which he reaffirmed his commitment to a hardline stance on Uyghurs. Xi focused his speech on maintaining “social stability” in East Turkistan, emphasizing the need for counterterrorism measures and further “Sinicizing” of Islam. These comments underscore China’s ongoing severe violations of the Uyghur’s basic rights, including religious freedom and cultural preservation.
Xi’s statement also highlights his intention to combine anti-terrorism efforts with stability maintenance. This approach has been used as a justification for the unjust mass detention and programmatic oppression of millions of innocent Uyghurs amounting to crimes against humanity and genocide. Furthermore, Xi’s emphasis on deepening the “Sinification” of Islam is a clear infringement on religious rights and further erases the Uyghur’s cultural identity. CFU denounces any attempts to manipulate and distort religious practices, as it undermines the essence of freedom of belief.
Executive Director, Rushan Abbas said “I am personally not shocked when Xi openly endorses and emphasizes these oppressive policies against my people. We condemn the Chinese government’s continued repression and call upon the international community to step up efforts to hold China accountable for its human rights abuses. The world cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities, we must unite and take a stand against this gross injustice. The sad reality is that Xi’s ability to double down on his genocidal policies against the Uyghur people is partly due to the world’s inadequate response, failing to live up to the solemn pledge of “never again.”
CFU urges the international community to not only condemn these gross human rights violations but also take immediate and tangible steps to pressure China to put an end to its genocidal policies. We call upon governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to join hands to hold China firmly accountable and demand the protection of the human rights and dignity of the Uyghur people. Only through concerted, resolute action can we hope to reverse the course of this human rights catastrophe and ensure that the promise of “never again” becomes a reality.
