Placed under the spotlight for human rights abuses is China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, a Turkic-speaking population residing primarily in the Xinjiang region. These acts have led to sanctions from the international community, particularly from the United States. Major Chinese biotech and surveillance companies, among other entities, are now subject to new penalties due to their involvement in these abuses.
U.S. Sanctions on Chinese Entities over Human Rights Abuses
The US Commerce Department has specifically targeted China’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences along with its 11 research institutes, which are believed to be using biotechnology in support of the Chinese military. The Treasury Department will also impose penalties against multiple Chinese entities. These sanctions will prevent American companies from selling components to these entities without a license.
Legislation Against Forced Labor
The U.S. administration supports legislation that bans imports from Xinjiang unless companies can prove that their goods were not produced by forced labor. This follows the United States House of Representatives’ approval in 2020 of legislation demanding sanctions against Chinese officials responsible for the repression of Uighur Muslims. U.S. companies or individuals operating in Xinjiang are also required to ensure their products do not use parts created through forced labor.
Declaration for Uighur Muslims
Recently, 43 countries signed a declaration urging China to uphold the rule of law for the Uighur Muslim community in Xinjiang. Among the signatories were the US and multiple other nations accusing China of human rights violations and ethnic cleansing against the Uighur Muslims.
China’s Stand on Uighur Issue
China alleges that Uighur groups seek to establish an independent state due to their cultural ties to neighboring regions. As a result, leaders fear potential backing for a separatist movement in Xinjiang from places like Pakistan. China denies any abuse, stating its measures are necessary to combat terrorism and separatism.
India’s Stand
The Indian government has mostly remained silent on the Uighur crisis.
The Uyghur Muslims: An Overview
The Uyghurs are a Muslim minority Turkic ethnic group originating from Central and East Asia. They have a unique language akin to Turkish and see themselves as culturally and ethnically close to Central Asian nations. However, China only recognizes them as a regional minority rather than an indigenous group. Most Uyghurs reside in China’s Xinjiang region, with significant populations also living in neighboring Central Asian countries.
Persecution of Uyghurs
With economic prosperity in Xinjiang, the majority Han Chinese have migrated to the region in large numbers. This migration has resulted in the Uyghurs feeling threatened as the Han Chinese have secured better jobs. State repression has led to persecution, forced detention, intense scrutiny, surveillance, and even slavery of Uighurs.
Systematic Effort to Suppress Uyghurs
According to U.S. intelligence, China has installed a high-tech surveillance system across Xinjiang using biometric facial recognition. DNA samples of residents, ages 12 to 65, have been collected as part of a systematic effort to suppress the Uyghurs.
Way Forward
All countries should reassess their positions and encourage China to halt the persecution of Muslims and the prohibition of Islam in Xinjiang immediately. The acceptance of the Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims as equal citizens to native Chinese through the adoption of multiculturalism is also crucial.