Sanctions Must Not Lapse: UHRP Calls for Reauthorization of Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020, Measures on Hong Kong and Tibet

US Congress 2024

For immediate release
November 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. EDT
Contact: Omer Kanat (202) 790-1795, Peter Irwin (646) 906-7722

The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) and seven other groups are calling on the Congress to re-authorize vital laws mandating action for Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, and Tibetans. 

“Congress must not allow the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act to expire,” said UHRP Executive Director Omer Kanat. “The genocide is ongoing. Without action, all the Magnitsky Sanctions on the perpetrators will be lifted in 2025. This would be outrageous.”

The Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 directs the President to impose human-rights sanctions on Chinese officials responsible for atrocities against Uyghurs, under the authority of the Global Magnitsky Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Between 2020 and 2023, fourteen (14) perpetrators of atrocities against Uyghurs were placed under financial sanctions and visa bans. These include: 

  • Xinjiang police (Public Security Bureau)
  • Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC/Bingtuan)
  • 12 officials, including Chen Quanguo, Communist Party Secretary of the Uyghur Region 2016-2021.

These sanctions will “sunset” on June 20, 2025, without Congressional Action, under Section 6(h): Section (h) Sunset.–This section, and any sanctions imposed under this section, shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (Emphasis added)

The law, Public Law No. 116-145 (06/17/2020), was amended on December 23, 2021 to require Global Magnitsky sanctions for foreign persons responsible for forced labor of Uyghurs, by the enactment of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R.6256).

UHRP joins Tibetans and Hong Kongers in calling for the re-authorization of the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, the PROTECT Hong Kong Act, and the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act of 2018. The groups making the joint call are UHRP, the International Campaign for Tibet, Campaign for Uyghurs, Washingtonians Supporting Hong Kong, Students for a Free Tibet, Hong Kong Democracy Council, Uyghur American Association, andt Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation. 

All four bipartisan laws hold the People’s Republic of China accountable for its oppressive rule in Hong Kong, Tibet, and East Turkistan. Without the vital tools these laws provide, it will be harder for the United States to impose concrete repercussions for China’s despotic rule over the oppressed people of Tibet, East Turkistan, and Hong Kong. Since their enactment, these laws have proven effective. Keeping them in place supports American policy and provides a model for like-minded partners to take similar steps.  

See the UHRP U.S. Sanctions Tracker for the full list of Global Magnitsky Sanctions, as well as sanctions on imports, exports, and investment.