Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign Calls Out United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Weak Response to China’s Genocidal Policies

Justice For All’s Save Uyghur Campaign is disappointed with the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recent address to the 57th session of the Human Rights Council. Instead of referring to China’s crimes against humanity – including torture and other human rights abuses – as noted in a previous OHCHR statement from just two weeks ago, the High Commissioner, Mr. Volker Türk, was conspicuously silent.

We have persistently drawn attention to the gravity of the Uyghur crisis, including but not limited to gender-based violence encompassing forced sterilizations, abortions, sexual abuse, forced marriages to Han-Chinese individuals, forced labor, forced medical procedures, and the mass arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs. Despite international condemnation, these documented  atrocities remain unmitigated.

Rather than highlight such abuses, Mr Türk made fleeting references to China’s oppressive policies. He mentioned how “despite some important advancements, 30 years after the universal commitments on women’s rights in Beijing,” China’s “shadow of patriarchy still looms large.” He drew attention to China’s “ undue restrictions on civic space [that] continue to be imposed in the name of national security and social stability.” We waited for him to mention the genocide against the Uyghurs.

Statements that ignore the Uyghur community grossly underrepresent the systemic and horrific atrocities they face. Justice For All is frustrated over the lack of progress and transparency by the OHCHR on China’s abuses towards Uyghurs.  

Furthermore, Justice For All is outraged that the 57th session of the Human Rights Council did not discuss China’s continued atrocities against the Uyghur population in East Turkistan. Despite a comprehensive and damning report dated August 31, 2022, by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which concluded that “serious human rights violations have been committed,” China has remained defiant. Its government has disregarded the OHCHR’s urgent recommendations, including the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained individuals, the cessation of reprisals against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims, and the initiation of independent investigations into allegations of egregious human rights abuses. This glaring omission at the Council’s meeting weakens its efforts to address human rights abuses. It also risks undermining the victims and survivors’ trust in the Council, since they rely on the international body for consistent and transparent advocacy for justice and accountability. Failing to raise these critical issues does a disservice not only to those suffering but also to the principles of human rights that the Council purports to uphold.

To rectify this inaction and restore confidence in international justice mechanisms, Justice For All strongly urges the OHCHR to implement the following actions immediately:

1. Explicitly Address Long-Standing Evidence: The OHCHR and Mr. Volker Türk must provide a comprehensive and unambiguous acknowledgment of China’s gross human rights violations against the Uyghurs. This should encompass detailed accounts of torture, sexual violence, forced labor and arbitrary detentions.

2. Demand Accountability and Immediate Release of Detainees: There needs to be a firm insistence on the Chinese government adhering to the OHCHR’s recommendations from August 2022. This includes the prompt release of arbitrarily detained individuals and the cessation of harassment and intimidation of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.

3. Facilitate Independent Investigations: The establishment of a dedicated body to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses is crucial to ensuring accountability and transparency. These investigations must be impartial and thorough, leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice.

4. Advocate Against Global Intimidation and Reprisals: The OHCHR must advocate strongly against any form of intimidation and reprisals faced by Uyghurs globally. This includes condemning actions taken against Uyghur activists and their families, both within and outside East Turkistan.

5. Mobilize International Sanctions and Actions: Impose comprehensive sanctions against China until it evidences significant reforms aligned with human rights standards. Economic, political and diplomatic pressure must be leveraged to ensure compliance from the Chinese government.

Justice For All remains unwavering in its campaign for the rights and protections of the Uyghur people. We call upon the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the broader international community to demonstrate resolute action and unwavering support for those suffering at the hands of gross injustice. Together, let us ensure that silence and inaction do not eclipse the call for justice. The Uyghur community deserves more than platitudes – it is entitled to concrete steps toward accountability and healing.