Who Are Uighur Muslims?
The Uighur community is an ethnic minority classification of Muslims. They mainly reside in China’s north-west region of Xinjiang.
The estimated number of Uighurs in the region is 11 million– almost half of its total population. However, they remain confined to this very area which limits their share in the total population of China.
Uighur Muslims have been a part the Xinjiang province for almost hundreds of years and the language that they converse in is related to and resembles Turkish.
Uighur Muslims have been a part the Xinjiang province for almost hundreds of years and the language that they converse in is related to and resembles Turkish.
It is widely believed that their ancestors may have arrived from a foregoing native land of the Turks which lies in the northern part of central Asia.
Some Uighurs refuse to accept the fact that Xinjiang, which is officially labelled as an “autonomous region” – is a part of China, citing credible evidence that their preceding ancestors inhabited the area long before Chinese Han and Tang dynasties occupied and established their own dominion in the locale.
Some Uighurs refuse to accept the fact that Xinjiang, which is officially labelled as an “autonomous region” – is a part of China, citing credible evidence that their preceding ancestors inhabited the area long before Chinese Han and Tang dynasties occupied and established their own dominion in the locale.
Why Are They Facing Abuse by the State Machinery?
The answer is simple yet appalling, The Chinese Communist Party aligns with the line of thinking that any religion or ideology that dares to recognize a power which stands higher than the party is viewed a grave threat that must be eliminated and done away with at all costs.
Political as well as cultural conformity must be compulsorily enforced.
It has also been witnessed in China’s plentiful Christian communities that have been through intense persecution, which in turn has compelled millions to practice their religion and beliefs underground.
It has also been witnessed in China’s plentiful Christian communities that have been through intense persecution, which in turn has compelled millions to practice their religion and beliefs underground.
Among ancient sects like Kaifeng’s Jews, the government banned worship for holidays like Passover and destroyed signs in order to obliterate evidence of the community’s Jewish history.
The ultimate goal is nothing but sinicization, which is the forced conversion of religious groups into party-approved cultural and narrow ideological norms.
The ultimate goal is nothing but sinicization, which is the forced conversion of religious groups into party-approved cultural and narrow ideological norms.
In its distressed forms, it can be categorized as a eugenic project, which expounds why the government pressurizes Uighur women to have lesser children and marry outside their community.
The Kind of Violence and Abuse Being Meted out to them
About a million Uighurs are being confined in “re-education” detention centers in Xinjiang, as per a report by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Kind of Violence and Abuse Being Meted out to them
About a million Uighurs are being confined in “re-education” detention centers in Xinjiang, as per a report by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Chinese Government claims that these camps are “vocational training centers” which will help in eliminating extremism by Islamist separatists, and giving people new skills.
A 2018 report by Amnesty International report revealed widespread arbitrary detention being carried out towards Uighur Muslims throughout the province.
A 2018 report by Amnesty International report revealed widespread arbitrary detention being carried out towards Uighur Muslims throughout the province.
The detainees are held even in the absence of any charge and are also forced to eat pork and undergo indoctrination by yelling Chinese Communist Party slogans.
The Communist Party has also gone to the extent of taking draconian measures for the purpose of slashing birth rates among Uighurs which is a part of the government’s sweeping campaign to gradually drag down and curb its ethnic Muslim population.
The Communist Party has also gone to the extent of taking draconian measures for the purpose of slashing birth rates among Uighurs which is a part of the government’s sweeping campaign to gradually drag down and curb its ethnic Muslim population.
There have been mass sterilizations to fulfill this purpose. The Uighurs Muslims are also forced to deny and criticize their own beliefs and religion.
It is also claimed that they are often physically and mentally tortured through heinous practices such as electrocution and solitary confinement in case they fail to comply. Their children are also taken away and made to denounce their heritage.
How the International Community Has Reacted
Several countries have started carrying out independent investigations with respect to the detention camps. Quite a few governments have also come forward and condemned China, using the diplomatic platforms, one of them being the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to do so.
The movement to hold China accountable for its actions has predominantly been led by the United States.
How the International Community Has Reacted
Several countries have started carrying out independent investigations with respect to the detention camps. Quite a few governments have also come forward and condemned China, using the diplomatic platforms, one of them being the Human Rights Council of the United Nations to do so.
The movement to hold China accountable for its actions has predominantly been led by the United States.
The U.S took the step of blacklisting as many as 28 Chinese organizations, terming it as a punishment for the human rights violations. This ensures that the indexed Chinese companies are prohibited from importing and purchasing U.S products.
Canada is another country whose approach to the situation was rather less aggressive and overt.
Canada is another country whose approach to the situation was rather less aggressive and overt.
The Canadian government heavily criticized China under the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development followed by a “fact-finding exercise” accomplished during October 2018.
What More Needs to Be Done
The methods of diplomacy have miserably failed to account for the seriousness and gravity of the ongoing situation and put forth very little or no real consequences that may act as a punishment for the Chinese government.
What More Needs to Be Done
The methods of diplomacy have miserably failed to account for the seriousness and gravity of the ongoing situation and put forth very little or no real consequences that may act as a punishment for the Chinese government.
This can be inferred from the fact that Uighurs still continue to face merciless persecution.
The global community needs to hold virtue signaling, faux progressive corporations accountable for their compliance, in what is, very simply, the Chinese state trying to ethically cleanse Uighur Muslims.
The global community needs to hold virtue signaling, faux progressive corporations accountable for their compliance, in what is, very simply, the Chinese state trying to ethically cleanse Uighur Muslims.
Human rights groups have urged brands like Amazon and Adidas to stop sourcing of material from the region and cut off ties with anyone who benefits from this forced labor.
Citizens of different countries along with their respective media outlets should raise awareness on the issue.
Citizens of different countries along with their respective media outlets should raise awareness on the issue.
This will mount pressure on the governments to act in a more comprehensive manner that may yield better results and assist the Uighur Muslims in getting rid of all kinds of tortures that they are currently facing.
Written by - Isha Singh
Edited by - Sandhya R
Written by - Isha Singh
Edited by - Sandhya R
Social