UHRP Welcomes Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act, Bipartisan House Bill
March 25, 2025, 3:00 p.m. EST
For Immediate Release
Contact: Omer Kanat +1 (202) 790-1795, Peter Irwin +1 (646) 906-7722
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) welcomes the re-introduction of the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, to address the cross-border persecution of Uyghurs.
“The U.S. needs to lead the way in protecting Uyghurs who have escaped China’s genocide,” said UHRP Executive Director, Omer Kanat. “We warmly thank Virginia Democrat Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) as sponsor of this important bill, and Florida Republican Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27) as lead co-sponsor.”
In a press statement, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam said: “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan initiative to provide those enduring unthinkable oppression with a pathway to expedited refugee status and asylum.”
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said: “Our refugee system is designed to provide protection to those who need it most. We should prioritize those that are able to escape the systematic persecution and torture Uyghurs and other oppressed minorities are suffering from in Xinjiang.”
UHRP also thanks Representatives Gregory Meeks (D-NY), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Don Beyer (D-VA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Andre Carson (D-IN), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Seth Moulton (D-MA) for co-sponsoring the bill.
The bill would prioritize those who have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in East Turkistan, as “Priority 2” (P-2) refugees of special humanitarian concern. The bill comes in response to a crisis facing Uyghurs fleeing large-scale CCP atrocities. Uyghurs are at significant risk of refoulement to China in many countries, given efforts by the Chinese government to force their return.
Read more:
Summary of 2023 bill: Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act of 2023
UHRP Statement: UHRP Calls on Thailand to Halt Deportation of 48 Uyghurs, Uphold International Law, February 26, 2025
UHRP Statement: UHRP Submits Policy Recommendations to Congress to Address Chinese Government Transnational Repression of Uyghurs, June 15, 2022
UHRP Report: Repression Across Borders: The CCP’s Illegal Harassment and Coercion of Uyghur Americans, August 2019
UHRP Report: “Your Family Will Suffer”: How China is Hacking, Surveilling, and Intimidating Uyghurs in 22 Liberal Democracies, November 2021