Current Uighurs’ Suffering

Since 2017 at least 1 million Uighurs have come into contact with at least 85 Chinese “re-education center” camps in Xinjiang. This is in attempts to combat terrorism. The Chinese government has long denied these camps exists however there is plenty of evidence stating otherwise. The Uighurs are a mostly Muslim Turkic ethnicity and the majority of this ethnic group lives in Xinjiang. Uighurs have been discriminated against for a fairly long time. The Muslim minority have been subjected to illegal detainment, interrogations and beatings because of their faith. Women survivors of these “re- education centers” have reported forced sterilization and accounts of rape. The Chinese government since an attack in 2013 have stated that the Uighurs hold extremist views which is a threat to their security, and the need for some form of anti terrorists reform.

By 2017 the Chinese government passed a law that prohibits men from growing long beards as well as women from wearing veils. In addition dozens of mosque have destroyed which as we know are important praying grounds for those of the Muslim faith. They are forced to renounce their faith while also being cut off from their relatives. Uighurs now have been shipped away across areas of China to work in factories that supply products that everyday civilians use. In these factories Uighurs are under constant surveillance to the point where every step they take is questioned. Uighur workers are also required to attend mandatory mandarin classes and have patriotic education. Companies like Nike, H&M, Apple, Samsung, Zara, Volkswagen and BMW are just a small list of brands that have been spotted using forced Uighur labor. These crimes against humanity have been going on for far too long. The UN has been notified about the current state in Xinjiang and wishes to investigate more. Beijing has previously stated that it would welcome UN officials to Xinjiang but only under the conditions that they stay out of the country's internal affairs.