The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) marked a pivotal moment on 30 November 2023 at the United Nations (UN) event focused on utilizing the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) to shed light on the harrowing reality of the Uyghur genocide.
Prominent speakers, including Zumret Erkin from the World Uyghur Congress and other influential figures such as Rushan Abbas from the Campaign for Uyghurs, Ahmad Hakim Idris from the Uyghur Study Initiative, and Peter Irwin from the Uyghur Project, converged at the UN's UPR pre-session to address the mounting evidence of atrocities committed against the Uyghur community in China.
The discussions emphasized the staggering amount of UN evidence underscoring the existence of grave human rights abuses and called for immediate and decisive action in response to the crisis. These advocates fervently urged governments, UN bodies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to intensify efforts in raising awareness and exposing the Chinese government's perpetration of the Uyghur genocide.
The event, hosted by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (GCR2P), witnessed insightful remarks from notable figures like US Ambassador for Human Rights, Leslie Norton, and Canadian Ambassador, Leslie Norton, both emphasizing the necessity for sustained international engagement and attention towards this humanitarian crisis.
Moreover, the day saw significant engagements between the World Uyghur Congress and the Belgian Uyghur Association, along with European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picierno, focusing on the rights of Uyghur women and the alarming gender-based violence orchestrated by the Chinese government.
Key discussions highlighted the multifaceted nature of the crisis, including Chloe Cranston from Anti-Slavery International emphasizing the assessment of forced labor within a broader context of persecution. Panelists like Zumret Erkin shed light on China's counterterrorism framework, which has enabled systematic violations and abuses, including mass incarcerations and the destruction of cultural heritage in the Uyghur region.
The discussions culminated with Former UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Fernand de Varennes, stressing the urgent need for independent investigations into the massive and systematic human rights violations being inflicted upon the Uyghur community, especially the forced assimilation of children.
The day concluded with a resounding call from H.E. Leslie Norton for continuous international engagement and solidarity with Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) confronting the UN Human Rights Council in their pursuit of justice for the Uyghurs. The event stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing atrocities in the Uyghur region and the imperative for unwavering global attention and action in response.
Edited and collated by Team TRC