Recently, a report by the United Nations raised concerns about China’s serious human rights violations against the Uyghur community. According to the report, these actions may be equivalent to crimes against humanity.
Detailed Highlights of the UN Report
The UN report highlights multiple forms of persecution against the Uyghurs. There are accusations of China sweeping a million or more people from minority groups into detention camps. Several survivors reported incidents of torture, sexual assault, and were forced to abandon their native language and religion.
China’s Ruthless Campaign against Extremism
The report further brings to light China’s intense campaign against extremism in Xinjiang, its westernmost province. This campaign includes merciless birth control policies and severe restrictions on people’s movement.
Calls for an Independent International Investigation Body
In response to the UN report, human rights groups have renewed their appeals for the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent international body. This body would investigate the allegations against China.
About the Uyghurs
Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group that originated from Central and East Asia. They speak a language similar to Turkish, and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. The Uyghurs are recognized as one of the 55 officially acknowledged ethnic minority communities in China. However, China acknowledges them only as a regional minority, refusing to accept them as an indigenous group.
At present, the most substantial population of the Uyghur community resides in the Xinjiang region of China. There are also significant numbers of Uyghurs living in neighboring Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan.
Xinjiang: A Significant Region in China
Xinjiang is officially an autonomous region within China. It is China’s largest region, rich in minerals, and shares borders with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia, and Afghanistan.
Previous Year’s Questions from UPSC Civil Services Examination
The 2016 UPSC Civil Services Examination included a question on ethnic communities that have been mentioned in the news. The pairs listed were:
1. Kurd – Bangladesh
2. Madhesi – Nepal
3. Rohingya – Myanmar
The correct answer was option (c) which pairs Madhesi with Nepal and Rohingya with Myanmar.
For context, Kurds are indigenous to the Mesopotamian plains and highlands in South-eastern Turkey, North-eastern Syria, northern Iraq, North-western Iran, and South-western Armenia. Madhesis live mainly in the southern plains of Nepal, close to the India border. Rohingyas predominantly live in the Western Myanmar province of Rakhine.
