The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) has submitted a report for consideration by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in preparation for the Committee’s examination of the 3rd periodic report of China.
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2020 9:00am EDT
Contact: Peter Irwin +1 (646) 906-77222
Activists demand governments take immediate action against the Chinese Communist Party on the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China
On 1 October 2020, the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, over 150 civil society groups representing Tibetan, Uyghur, Hongkonger, Southern Mongolia, Taiwanese and Chinese Democracy groups will stage the largest, coordinated, cross-movement action ever, calling on governments to take a strong multilateral stand in response to unprecedented human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The Global Day of Action [1] will see protests take place in 61 cities around the world in a show of international solidarity among Chinese human rights defenders, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Southern Mongolians, and Taiwanese; a coming together to recognise the present threat posed by the CCP to communities living under its rule, and for freedom, democracy, and human rights in China and globally.
The illegal occupation of Tibet, [2] arbitrary detention of millions of Uyghurs in internment camps, [3] loss of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, [4] erasure of Southern Mongolian culture and language, [5] intimidation and bullying of Taiwan, and the detention, disappearance, and silencing of countless Chinese lawyers and activists illustrates the scale of the existing concerns across the country. [6]
The issues faced by each and every community is a reflection of the CCP’s blatant disregard for the rights of those living in China and its occupied countries, and the desire of Xi Jinping to consolidate power and forcibly stifle dissent.
A growing chorus of voices have already begun to push back against many of these abuses:
In June 2020, the Interparliamentary Alliance on China [7] was established “to promote a coordinated response between democratic states to challenges posed by the present conduct and future ambitions of the People’s Republic of China.” The alliance is made up of nationally elected legislators including 36 co-chairs and 127 members from 17 countries.
On June 26, more than 50 independent UN experts issued a statement denouncing [8] China’s human rights record, notably the treatment of the Uyghurs and Tibetans, as well as the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong, and called for “decisive measures to protect fundamental freedoms in China.”
In July 2019, 25 UN Member States sent a letter [9] to the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council president urging China to end mass arbitrary detentions and other violations against Uyghurs other Turkic peoples.
We are therefore calling on governments to:
CONTACTS:
Dorjee Tseten, Students for a Free Tibet, +1 646-753-3889
Peter Irwin, Uyghur Human Rights Project, +1 646-906-7722
Frances Hui, We The Hongkongers, +1 425-245-4818
Mandie McKeown, International Tibet Network, +44 (0)7748158618
Zumretay Arkin, World Uyghur Congress, +49 1766 1619 262
Fengsuo Zhou, Tiananmen Survivor, +1 510-371-2098
Julie Millsap, Campaign for Uyghurs +1 830-822-7289
Keep Taiwan Free: un4tw.keeptaiwanfree@gmail.com
NOTES TO EDITORS: