CFU Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 6 2022, 09:15 PM ET
Rushan Abbas: rushan@campaignforuyghurs.org, (559) 375-3571
campaignforuyghurs.org
Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) is disappointed in the failure to pass a vote to hold a debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The debate was proposed by the U.S. government after the report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on abuses of Uyghurs was published. This debate was necessary to fully discuss the extent of China’s actions, which the OHCHR report said may constitute crimes against humanity.
The report, released on August 31, documented widespread abuse of human rights, including torture, arbitrary arrests, forced abortions, and violations of religious freedom. The U.S. government, and other like minded countries for the UNHRC to organize the debate which was initially supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Norway.
Since the report has been published, China has actively tried to suppress the high commissioner’s report at every level. It is because of this very reason that a debate was vital. The UNHRC has been explicitly mandated to discuss human rights violations committed by any government. Others will be enabled and a dangerous double standard will be created if a government is permitted to escape scrutiny for committing some of the most serious human rights violations under international law.
Executive Director Rushan Abbas said “If the vote had passed today, the debate could have led to a resolution which supports a probe into East Turkistan, which should have been supported by nations based on liberty, freedom, and democracy. However, some member states have adopted China’s genocide denial. They should consider the consequences of allowing one powerful country to effectively have impunity for committing genocide.”
CFU urges nations not to be influenced by the Chinese regime’s threats, manipulations or propaganda. China is adamant that there is no genocide, therefore democratic nations must call upon China to open its doors for unfettered access to East Turkistan and conduct an independent investigation into the China’s Uyghur Genocide.
