In China’s far western region of Xinjiang, Chinese Communist Party officials are persecuting one of the worst human rights abuses of our time, what I labelled an act of cultural genocide in last week’s ABC Four Corners report. Pressure is mounting on the Australian government to go beyond statements of concern and challenge China over its treatment of the Uighur minority, particularly those Australian citizens and permanent residents being held in the vast network of “re-education camps” in Xinjiang.
Two Australian Uighur men are meeting federal politicians in Canberra today to push for the government’s assistance in helping family members trapped in China. Australia was one of 22 countries to sign a recent letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing concern about the “arbitrary detention” of Uighurs, but otherwise, its response has been muted. In recent days, the Chinese government has defended its actions with a dubious propaganda report claiming that Uighurs were historically forced to become Muslims and have been an integral part of China for thousands of years.
Two Australian Uighur men are meeting federal politicians in Canberra today to push for the government’s assistance in helping family members trapped in China. Australia was one of 22 countries to sign a recent letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressing concern about the “arbitrary detention” of Uighurs, but otherwise, its response has been muted. In recent days, the Chinese government has defended its actions with a dubious propaganda report claiming that Uighurs were historically forced to become Muslims and have been an integral part of China for thousands of years.
