Here is a look at the latest Uyghur-related news around the world.
Jailed Uyghur official highlights Chinese-Uyghur land disputes
A former Uyghur government official in Xinjiang, China, received a 10-year prison sentence for siding with local farmers who refused to surrender their farms to Chinese developers without adequate compensation, Radio Free Asia recently reported. RFA said this case reflects broader disputes over land rights amid allegations of coercion by Chinese developers.
Uyghur and Tibetan activists protest Xi Jinping’s visit to Paris
Uyghur and Tibetan activists carrying banners and flags marched in central Paris last week to protest Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit. They condemned human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. Talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Xi primarily focused on the war in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict and trade.
Lawyer challenges China's historical narrative on Xinjiang
In an interview with Radio Free Asia, international lawyer and inner Asia expert Michael van Walt disputed China's claim over Xinjiang, using history as proof. He said Xinjiang, which Uyghurs call East Turkistan, has not been continuously under Chinese rule for 2,000 years, rejecting China's unified state narrative. Van Walt described Beijing's territorial claims as colonialism.
Report reveals Xinjiang cotton mislabeling in global market
A recent report reveals that a significant amount of cotton from Xinjiang is being falsely labeled as American or Brazilian. Despite bans on Xinjiang cotton due to forced labor concerns, 19% of more than 820 tested samples in the United States contained Xinjiang cotton, highlighting ongoing struggles to combat forced labor in global supply chains. The study, conducted by Applied DNA Sciences, used isotopic testing to identify the mislabeled cotton. Concerns persist about Xinjiang cotton's presence in global trade, prompting calls for increased testing and collaboration to address human rights and regulatory issues.
Sexual harassment challenges human rights advocacy, Uyghur rights groups implicated
Women working in human rights organizations spoke out about experiences of sexual misconduct by male leaders, highlighting a culture of silence and fear within the advocacy community. Some of the men accused of harassment include prominent members of Uyghur rights groups.
News in brief
Dozens of Uyghur refugees who fled China 10 years ago remain detained in Thailand and face uncertain futures amid conflicting explanations from Thai authorities and the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR. One activist told VOA about dire living conditions and deaths in detention, urging an end to indefinite incarceration and swift international action. Rights organizations accuse Beijing of repressive policies against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, which China has repeatedly denied.
Quotes:
“Despite requests, however, at no stage have we been permitted to access the group or engage with them for the purpose of facilitating solutions. We are engaged in close discussions with the Thai authorities,” UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told VOA in an email. “UNHCR has and continues to proactively raise this issue with the Thai authorities.”