All articles tagged with #uyghurs
China’s new Ethnic Unity Law, taking effect now, could let Beijing sanction overseas critics and organisations that allegedly undermine ethnic unity, prompting concerns from Amnesty and EU lawmakers about a new long-arm of repression that could threaten minority rights and chill exile activism, even as the law claims to boost national unity.
China is rolling out a sweeping plan to knit Xinjiang and Tibet into the mainstream economy, building massive energy, infrastructure and tourism projects that could turn the region into a major power hub and strategic gateway to Europe, while expanding state security and surveillance. Key elements include a colossal hydropower scheme on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet with long-duty power exports, a multi‑billion‑dollar grid link to Guangdong, and extensive transport and hotel investments in Xinjiang. Analysts say the push strengthens Beijing’s geopolitical and economic clout but critics warn it intensifies repression of Uyghur and Tibetan communities and deepens reliance on state-controlled labor and resources, amid sanctions and global scrutiny of supply chains.
Uyghur militants, driven by repression in Xinjiang, became the largest foreign fighter contingent in Syria, playing key roles in Aleppo’s fall and advancing toward Damascus alongside TIP/HTS-aligned groups; they built communities in northern Syria, integrated into the reconstituted Syrian army, and face local suspicion as Beijing pressures Syria to expel them, all while maintaining aims to preserve Uyghur culture and potentially seek influence back home.
Baroness Helena Kennedy says China lifting sanctions on seven MPs is a 'meagre return' from Sir Keir Starmer's Beijing visit and urges progress on Jimmy Lai's release, while critics argue the move is selective and does not address other detainees or Uyghur abuses.
Xinjiang's tourism industry has surged with 300 million visitors in 2024, driven by government efforts to rebrand the region as a scenic and exotic destination, despite ongoing human rights concerns and allegations of cultural and political repression of Uyghurs. The region's natural beauty is promoted alongside a sanitized version of Uyghur culture, attracting domestic and foreign tourists, while critics warn of a misleading portrayal that obscures serious human rights issues.
China is concerned about the Syrian rebel takeover of Damascus, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), due to the involvement of the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), a Uyghur separatist group linked to al-Qaeda. The TIP, seeking an independent Islamic state in Xinjiang, has gained combat experience in Syria, raising fears in Beijing of potential future insurgency. Despite the threat, China has maintained a non-interventionist stance, relying on intelligence sharing with Syria, which may be disrupted by Assad's ousting. The situation poses risks to China's Belt and Road Initiative, especially if TIP militants return to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
In the Xinjiang region of China, the government has detained hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups, leading to accusations of cultural genocide. NPR's Emily Feng explores the story of Abdullatif Kucar, a Uyghur man searching for his missing family, while also investigating the extensive Chinese surveillance of Uyghurs. This episode is part of a series examining the broader implications of these actions.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck the border region between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang, with tremors felt in Delhi-NCR. The quake, at a depth of 10 km, also caused significant tremors in New Delhi despite being approximately 1,400 kilometers away. The rural region affected is predominantly inhabited by Uyghurs, who have faced forced assimilation and mass detention. The earthquake led to 14 aftershocks, with the possibility of casualties and significant damage, occurring amidst frigid temperatures affecting various parts of northern and central China.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck a remote part of China's western Xinjiang region, with no immediate reports of damage or fatalities. The quake occurred in a rural area populated mostly by Uyghurs, a Turkic ethnicity that has been the target of a state campaign of forced assimilation and mass detention in recent years. Aftershocks have been reported, and tremors were felt in neighboring countries. The region is experiencing frigid temperatures, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely following a deadly earthquake in China's northwestern Gansu province in December.
China is rebranding its Xinjiang region, known for allegations of human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims, as a tourist destination. CBS News joined a state-arranged tour, which showcased local culture and development but avoided any mention of the controversial detention centers. Despite the government's claims of closing "re-education centers," evidence of heavy surveillance and restrictions on Uyghur culture and religion remain. The rebranding effort includes promoting Han Chinese influence and renaming cities with Mandarin names, while presenting the government's crackdown as a fight against terrorism and extremism. Critics argue that the suppression of an entire ethnic group cannot be justified as a counter-terrorism measure.
China is attempting to rebrand its controversial Xinjiang region, known for the detention of Uyghur Muslims, as a tourist destination following global criticism. The government claims to have shut down re-education centers, and CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer visited the region on a government tour to witness the rebranding efforts firsthand.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed his support for the hardline approach towards the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, emphasizing the need for social stability and counterterrorism measures. Despite international criticism and accusations of potential crimes against humanity, Xi called for further "Sinocizing" of Islam and the continuation of policies such as teaching Uyghurs Mandarin and relocating them for work outside the region. Activists argue that these policies aim to dilute ethnic identity, while Beijing claims they are necessary for economic development and social stability.
China is reportedly pressuring Uyghurs living abroad to spy on human rights activists by using their families as "hostages." Chinese police officers are allegedly brokering video calls between Uyghurs and their family members in China, with the implied threat that harm will come to their families if they refuse to comply. Researchers have found that this tactic, known as transnational repression, is commonly used by Chinese authorities to control Uyghur communities abroad. Uyghurs in the UK and Turkey have reported being directly contacted by Chinese police and pressured to spy or refrain from advocacy work. The US government is beginning to address the issue with proposed legislation, and Uyghur rights activists are calling for Western governments to take responsibility and ensure the safety of Uyghur families.
Canada's corporate ethics watchdog, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE), has launched separate investigations into Nike Canada and Dynasty Gold over allegations that they used or benefited from forced Uyghur labor in their supply chains and operations in China. The investigations were initiated following complaints filed by a coalition of civil society organizations. This is the first investigation of its kind by the Canadian agency. The allegations against Nike Canada and Dynasty Gold involve their supply chains or operations in China, which are accused of using or benefiting from Uyghur forced labor. The companies have not yet responded to the allegations. CORE has the power to refer findings to a parliamentary committee for further action if companies are found guilty.
Miami Mayor and presidential candidate Francis Suarez faced criticism for not knowing what Uyghurs are when asked about them during an interview. Uyghurs are a Muslim ethnic group native to Xinjiang, China, who have been subjected to alleged human rights abuses, including detention in camps, sexual abuse, and forced sterilization. China denies the allegations. Both the Trump and Biden administrations have labeled China's treatment of the Uyghurs as genocide. Suarez later acknowledged his lack of knowledge and pledged to learn more about the issue.