The Uyghurs are an ethnic Turkic Muslim minority numbering approximately 11 million who live in the northwest region of Xinjiang, China. Although Xinjiang has some degree of self-governance, the Uyghur people have been subjected to an intense surveillance campaign orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party. The crackdown on Muslims in China has also included the creation of political education camps to “re-educate” Uyghurs who follow Islam. Nearly three million Uyghurs have gone through these camps, with one million currently being held.
Emgage Action supported the passage of both the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act (2020) and the Uyghur Forced Labour Act (2021), the latter of which was implemented in June 2022. Emgage Action will continue to support additional legislation aimed at protecting and empowering the Uyghur community and holding China accountable.
The Uyghur Policy Act, introduced by Rep. Young Kim, passed the House in December 2022; Emgage Action will be following its progress. It seeks to increase U.S. support for the Uyghur diaspora and advocate on the behalf of Uyghurs still incarcerated in China.