Uighurs: The Declaration of Genocide

Who are the Uighurs? 

In north-west China, the Xinjiang region is home to 11 million Uighur Turkic Muslims. In the early 20th century, Turkic rebels in the region declared independence twice as the Islamic Republic of East Turkestan and again as the Second East Turkistan Republic. After both separations, however, China reabsorbed the state (Branigan and Weaver). The region has seen ethnic conflict for over a century. Now, however, the group is a distinct minority in comparison to the Han Chinese ethnic group that dominate the country at a majority of 94% (2010 Chinese Census).  

Recent Developments 

The Xinjiang region has experienced anti-government protests and separatist activity since its initial separation attempts. However, within the past 25 years, Uighurs have been arrested, detained, and executed at alarming rates (Branigan and Weaver). It is estimated that nearly one million men and women have been detained for “re-education,” echoing chilling Nazi rhetoric nearly a century later (Hill et al). Few former detainees–mostly women–have been able to share their stories recounting “an organized system of mass rape, sexual abuse and torture” (Hill et al). 

The Chinese government has taken a hyperactive approach in reducing the Uighur population. Over the past four years, forced birth control (by means of sterilization, intrauterine devices, forced abortions, pregnancy checks, and torture) has been widespread and systematic (“China cuts Uighur births”). Not only are women subject to sterilization outside of camps, if they fail to comply, many are sent to detention camps or fined exorbitant amounts. Experts have longed called these actions “demographic genocide” (“China cuts Uighur births”).  

While China repeatedly claims imprisonment and sterilization activities are “lies and absurd allegations” (Hill et al), the Chinese Communist Party has placed bans on journalists and reporters entering the country. However, satellite imagery, personal recounts, and internal records say otherwise. Accordingly, one document from a local justice system described the “re-education” scheme as, “washing brains, cleansing hearts, strengthening righteousness and eliminating evil” (Hill et al).  

Even more shocking, the size and number of camps has grown within the past decade. And, like many victims of genocide, Uighurs have been tortured, forced into cells with numerous other detainees, and gang raped, among other atrocities (Hill et al). [Read more here]  

Pompeo’s Declaration 

On January 21st, 2021, the last day of Trump’s administration, State Secretary Mike Pompeo declared the Chinese Party-state was committing genocide. Pompeo stated, “we are witnessing the systematic attempt to destroy Uighurs” (Bellinger). Pompeo cited forced imprisonment, sterilization, and labor. 

The designation is not one taken lightly. Notably, the US has only declared genocide in 5 other circumstances including Bosnia (1993), Rwanda (1994), Iraq (1995), Darfur (2004), and in areas claimed by the Islamic State (2016-2017) (Bellinger).  

What is a Genocide? 

Rapheal Lemkin, a Polish Lawyer, coined the term genocide deriving its prefix from the Latin genos (or group) and the suffix from the Latin cide (for killing). Officially, genocide is defined as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group” (Convention on the Prevention).  

In 1948, the Genocide Convention, hosted by the United Nations, codified genocide. The first time in General Assembly history, the United Nations adopted the convention as the first human rights treaty (“The Genocide Convention”). Accordingly, states can now be tried by the International Court of Justice for committing genocide.  

Why the Hesitation? 

As to not overuse the term or negate its significance, government officials carefully assess human rights violations before declaring genocide. Additionally, declaring it as such places pressures on the U.S. government to intervene. Intervention usually includes sanctions and/or military action. Notably, other countries have condemned the China Communist Party, but none have declared genocide (Bellinger).  

What Does the Declaration Mean? 

While genocide is punishable by international law, the only stipulation in the law is that the crime is prevented and punished. Neither the United States nor any other state outside China is required to act or intervene (Bellinger).  

Shouting “genocide” on the last day of the Trump administration raises flags of personal gain: for Pompeo to be seen as a “China-hawk” should he choose to run for the highest office in the future. Pompeo’s declaration also puts Washington at further odds with Beijing, placing pressure on the Biden administration to act to further condemn the Chinese Communist Party. 

However, Biden’s administration has agreed with the overall declaration. In fact, the new secretary of state, Antony Blinken, before his confirmation hearing, said, “We’re very much in agreement…forcing men, women and children into concentration camps, trying to, in effect, reeducate them to be adherents to the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party, all of that speaks to an effort to commit genocide” (Bellinger).  

During the Trump administration, US-China relations declined. As a trade war did more harm than good to both diplomatic efforts and American farmers, the new administration inherits an already challenged relationship. 

What Happens Next? 

A week after Pompeo’s remarks, on January 28th, the Chinese foreign ministry declared “China has no genocide” (Asat). Now, however, attention lies on both US action and the increased outside evidence of genocide. Jake Sullivan, Biden’s National Security adviser said the US must be “prepared to act, as well as impose costs, for what China is doing in Xinjiang” (Asat). 

Washington can take a variety of steps to place pressure on China. Biden can call for the release of political prisoners, Congress can pass the Uighur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and the US can boycott the 2022 Beijing Olympic games. Similarly, Biden can call on allies to impose targeted (not blanket) sanctions, among other actions (Asat). 

Although Pompeo’s move likely had selfish, ulterior motives, the Biden team can use the declaration to reassert the United States as a leader and advocate for human rights (Asat). Confronting and punishing China, while also calling on allies, can re-establish America’s credibility as well as restore foreign alliances. Returning to the diplomatic efforts of the Obama era, America has the opportunity to return to the country that stood for the Libyans and the South Sudanese. After four years of an archaic foreign policy of isolationism, Biden has the opportunity to restore a global, powerful America. 

 

Sources 

Asat, Rayhan. “Biden Calls Chinese President Xi and Criticizes Abuse of Uighurs. But We Need More than Words.” NBC News , NBCUniversal News Group, 13 Feb. 2021, www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/biden-calls-chinese-president-xi-criticizes-abuse-uighurs-we-need-ncna1257675. 

Bellinger, John B. “China’s Abuse of the Uighurs: Does the Genocide Label Fit?” Council on Foreign Relations, Council on Foreign Relations, 3 Feb. 2021, www.cfr.org/article/chinas-abuse-uighurs-does-genocide-label-fit. 

Branigan, Tania, and Matthew Weaver. “China and the Uighurs: Q&A.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 6 July 2009, www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jul/06/china-muslim-uighurs-background. 

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, GA Res 260A (III), UNGAOR, 1948, (12 January 1951). 

“China Cuts Uighur Births with IUDs, Abortion, Sterilization.” AP NEWS, Associated Press, 29 June 2020, apnews.com/article/269b3de1af34e17c1941a514f78d764c#:~:text=The%20Chinese%20government%20is%20taking,majority%20to%20have%20more%20children.  

“The Genocide Convention.” United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, United Nations, www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/genocide-convention.shtml. 

Hill, Matthew, et al. “’Their Goal Is to Destroy Everyone’: Uighur Camp Detainees Allege Systematic Rape.” BBC News, BBC, 2 Feb. 2021, www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-55794071.