Here is a roundup of Uyghur related news in the past seven days.
Human rights groups ask Secretary of State Kerry to take action against China’s abuses
Human rights groups sent a letter together to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him, before his Beijing visit, to speak out against China’s violations of human rights, especially those affecting the Uyghur people.
The letter highlights recent cases of repression including targeting Hui Muslims. It also mentions the imprisonment of human rights lawyers as well as detaining those who are commemorating Tiananmen.
The groups recommend a new approach, and call for international investigations to be supported, the release of human rights defenders and accountability for family members detained by U.S. citizens. They also encourage press freedom. In the letter, it is stressed that victims must be prioritized and justice ensured.
China objects to US listing of Chinese companies in Xinjiang Abuse List
China has voiced its strong opposition to U.S. decisions to include two Chinese companies on a U.S. list of entities that are accused of human right abuses in Xinjiang.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry has criticized this action for its lack of transparency and factual basis. China pledged to implement the necessary measures in order to protect Chinese enterprises’ legitimate rights.
Ninestar Corp. – a Chinese printer manufacturer – and a Chinese chemical firm were recently banned from imports by the United States.
AI tool flags Chinese goods with links to Uyghur slave labor in Temu
Ultra, a tech company, has developed an AI tool that identifies items on Temu (a Chinese owned digital marketplace) that may be associated with Uyghur slavery in Xinjiang.
The AI tool analyzes shipment data to flag up products associated with forced labor. Analysis revealed that Temu products had names with no indication and company information that was untraceable. When compared to the same products found on China’s Pinduoduo, they could be traced back near Uyghur prisons in Xinjiang.
Ben Tzion (CEO of Ultra) suspects Temu of trying to circumvent Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Ben Tzion stressed that accountability is essential in cases like this.
Temu is the second-most popular digital marketplace in the U.S. after Amazon.
News in Brief
The Chinese Embassy spokesperson at Washington has condemned a U.S. Bill that seeks to expedite asylum for Uyghurs. He has accused the United States under the pretext human rights of political manipulation.
The Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act is a bill introduced by a bipartisan House of Representatives group. It aims at designating Uyghurs in Xinjiang and other muslim minorities as priority refugees to facilitate their asylum applications in America. The legislation also aims at protecting Uyghurs who are refugees in other nations by calling for diplomatic efforts that will prevent their return to China.
The U.S. Government has declared that the treatment of Uyghurs is genocide. Representatives stressed the urgency to deal with the crisis in human rights facing Uyghurs.
The Chinese Embassy spokesperson dismissed these allegations as lies. Uyghur supporters praised the bill’s protection of Uyghurs rights and called for it to be passed.
Quote of the note
“This [the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act] The Uyghurs are particularly at risk of deportation. Decreasing the risk of deportation brings huge hope to the diaspora community, especially those seeking asylum in the United States.”
Dolkun ISA, President of the World Uyghur Congress based in Munich to VOA