Ahead of the upcoming EU-China summit, 17 human rights organizations have come together to make a powerful appeal: it’s time for the European Union to clearly condemn the Chinese government’s crimes against humanity—and support real accountability.
These groups are calling on the EU to echo the findings of key United Nations bodies, including the UN Human Rights Office’s 2022 report on abuses in Xinjiang (home to the Uyghur community), as well as the conclusions of several UN committees that have reviewed China’s human rights record in recent years.
Their message is clear: crimes against humanity should not go unpunished, and justice must be pursued no matter where the crimes occur. They are urging the EU to uphold the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows crimes like genocide and torture to be tried in any country, regardless of where they happened.
A recent breakthrough has strengthened their call. On June 18, 2025, Argentina’s highest criminal court announced it would hear a case brought by Uyghur victims, accusing Chinese authorities of genocide and crimes against humanity. This historic step is being seen as a powerful example for EU countries to follow.
The full statement from the 17 human rights organizations can be read here.
The groups also pointed to EU High Representative Kaja Kallas’ March 2025 statement, where she emphasized the importance of international law and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice. Now, they say, is the time to put those words into action.
As the EU prepares to meet with China, these organizations are urging leaders not to stay silent. Justice for victims—and accountability for perpetrators—must be a central part of any serious dialogue on human rights.