The tensions between the Uyghur community and Chinese government hark back to 1949, but the first notable repressive act arose in 2014 when Uyghurs were banned from fasting during Ramadan in order to lead a more “normal life”. In addition to being threatened by violence and persecution since the 2014 ban, it is reported that over one million Uyghurs are detained within the approximately 400 camps within Xinjiang.
On 23 February 2021, the Canadian Parliament declared China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocide after a motion passed with an overwhelming 266 – 0 votes. This declaration is a move in the right direction in highlighting atrocities. However, it should be noted that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and a vast majority of members from his cabinet abstained from the vote on 23 February. PM Trudeau has been cautious to use the word genocide with regards to what is happening in China as he believes the term is “extremely loaded”. Some believe China’s economic power and control within the international arena has caused fear and reluctance to comment on the matter. China has also penalised those that have tried to shed light on Uyghur treatment. Recently, the Chinese government banned BBC World News from broadcasting in the country after it released a report outlining the systemic rape, sexual abuse, and torture in the “re-education camps” in Xinjiang. Despite the possibility of Chinese retaliation, Canadian opposition leader, Erin O'Toole, stated that the move was necessary to send a "clear and unequivocal signal that we will stand up for human rights…even if it means sacrificing some economic opportunity".
Canada’s public condemnation follows the actions taken by the United States, which was the first national body to respond to the Uyghur crisis with legislation. In May 2020, the US Congress passed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. The Act requires the US State Department to assemble a report on human rights violations in Xinjiang. It is unclear whether the new administration will treat the genocide in China as seriously as it should. President Biden recently stated that the actions taken by the Chinese government fell in line with different cultural norms. The remarks downplay the violations of human rights in Xinjiang’s camps. The US President has since apologised for his statements. Prior to these misstatements, President Biden condemned the abuse of Uyghurs, and he equated the situation in China to genocide throughout his presidential campaign.
2022 WINTER OLYMPICS
China is scheduled to host the 2022 Winter Olympics which has brought concern and controversy. More than 180 organisations have called on governments to boycott Beijing 2022 because of reported human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in Uyghur and due to China’s mishandling of other human rights situations, like Hong Kong. The World Uyghur Congress has even labelled the event as the “Genocide Games".
In light of this pushback, the Canadian motion also called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the Olympics from Beijing if the Chinese government continues these atrocities. In response to this, however, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced that China has lodged “stern representations” with Canada.
The IOC has dismissed critiques against hosting the Olympics in China by arguing that "the decision on hosting is not made with a view to signalling approval of a government policy”. There is an argument to be made that hosting the Olympics in Beijing can bring exposure to the genocide and trigger reform. Yet, given that the 2008 Olympics were also hosted in Beijing while the Chinese government persecuted Tibetans, it is fair to say such a belief is optimistic at best and naïve at worst. Activist Dorjee Tseten has noted that “hosting the [1936] Games in Berlin helped legitimise Hitler's genocide against the Jewish people and bolstered the Nazi regime. Governments and the international community must boycott the Beijing 2022 Games and take a stand to uphold the values of democracy, freedom, and human rights".
Given Canada’s recent declaration and the increasing international pressure on the 2022 Olympics to be moved, there is renewed hope for the Uyghur crisis to be resolved. There are still obstacles, however. The International Criminal Court declared that it will not investigate China’s mass detention of Muslims in Xinjiang. As a result, there is a need for other countries to formally recognize the atrocities in China in order for any real action to be taken. Without such recognition, it is easy to see organizations like the ICC and IOC continue to ignore and minimize the tragedy occurring in China.
Kinza recently completed the BPTC LLM at the University of Law and is an aspiring barrister. She has a keen interest in equality and discrimination, domestic abuse, and immigration issues.