Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign Condemns Special Rapporteur’s Report on Unilateral Sanctions

Washington, D.C. — Sept 20, 2024

For Immediate Release

Contact: Hena Zuberi

hena@justiceforall.org

(202) 922-5878

(Washington D.C.) September 20, 2024  Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign strongly condemns the recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur Alena Douhan on unilateral sanctions against China, which fails to accurately reflect the ongoing human rights violations in Chinese-occupied East Turkistan, erroneously referred to as Xinjiang. The report perilously shifts focus away from the egregious atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese government against the Uyghur people,  including state-enforced forced labor and acts of genocide.

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President of Justice For All, stated, “The Special Rapporteur’s report is a disservice to the truth and undermines the urgent need for accountability regarding the Chinese government’s actions. We cannot allow economic interests to overshadow the fundamental rights and dignity of the Uyghur population.”

Arslan Hidayat, Team Lead of the Save Uyghur Campaign, highlighted the misleading narrative in the report regarding sanctions. “The claim that sanctions lead to overcompliance and discrimination ignores the necessity of these measures. The Chinese government’s blatant disregard for human rights must be met with a firm international response.”

While the report raises concerns about legal rights and due process in sanctions-related matters, it fails to acknowledge the stark reality: Uyghurs face systemic oppression without any legal recourse. The ongoing genocide and forced labor in East Turkestan are well-documented, and ignoring these crimes in favor of economic considerations is indefensible.

Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign calls on the international community to remain vigilant and reject any attempt to downplay the severity of the situation. The evidence of Uyghur genocide is irrefutable, and we must continue to advocate for their rights and dignity.

We urge the Special Rapporteur to correct the record and ensure that human rights violations in East Turkestan are addressed with the seriousness they deserve. The international community must prioritize the Uyghur people’s suffering and hold the Chinese government accountable for its ongoing crimes.