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| Marco Rubio speaks at a D.C. luncheon celebrating ChinaAid’s 15-year anniversary in 2017. (Photo: ChinaAid) |
ChinaAid
(Washington, D.C.—Jan. 18, 2018) A pivotal action in ending China’s abuse of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities occurred yesterday as American Senators Bob Menendez and Marco Rubio re-introduced a policy to both the House of Representatives and the Senate that would make the country accountable for its actions.
The bipartisan legislation, titled the “Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act,” will require the U.S. Director of National Intelligence and the State Department to coordinate in the publication of a report detailing the security issues caused by China’s persecution of Xinjiang’s ethnic minorities. In addition, the publication will list Chinese organizations known to be involved in the “re-education camps,” which are concentration camp-style prisons dedicated to holding and torturing minority prisoners.
Upon the implementation of the legislation, the FBI would be given the responsibility of defending Chinese people in the United States from possible intimidation from the Chinese Communist Party, and the State Department would create a new position dedicated to tracking the Xinjiang crackdown’s progress.
In addition, Chinese officials complicit in the persecution would face sanctions.
The United States’ involvement in this case has become absolutely critical. Even as China continues its persecution attempts, it remains sensitive to maintaining a positive public image and has even gone so far as to arrest those who speak up against it from within. As a result, exposure and intervention from the outside world is the most direct, effective way to combat these abuses and has even resulted in the freedom of key prisoners.
Therefore, ChinaAid urges the both the House and the Senate to speedily pass this legislation before more atrocities can occur, directly pressuring China to immediately cease its oppression of ethnic and religious minorities and people living abroad. President Donald Trump should also declare that the American people are not going to bend our fundamental values of life and liberty for business interests by signing it into law. We also encourage lawmakers from around the world to introduce similar policies in their respective nations, in order to provide a protective front against human rights and religious freedom abuses and invest in a future that respects the freedom of individuals, regardless of their background.
ChinaAid exposes abuses in order to stand in solidarity with the persecuted and promote religious freedom, human rights, and rule of law. If you wish to partner with us in helping those persecuted by the Chinese government for their beliefs, please click here to make a charitable donation.
ChinaAid Media Team
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