Jun 26, 2018

Uyghur Friendship Group and EPP Convene European Parliament Conference on Human Rights Situation of Uyghurs


A People Under Threat: Hundreds of Thousands of Uyghurs Arbitrarily Detained in China

26 June 2018 | 12:30 – 14:00 | Brussels, European Parliament, Room 2Q2

 

— REGISTRATION IS CLOSED —

Registration will be closed on Monday 25 June at 13:00.

 

On 26 June 2018, from 12:30 to 14:30, the Uyghur Friendship Group in collaboration with the European People’s Party (EPP) will convene its very first meeting since its constitution. Entitled “A People Under Threat: Hundreds of Thousands of Uyghurs Arbitrarily Detained in China”, the high-level event will take place in room 2Q2, inside the European Parliament. By organising this conference, Members of the European Parliament (MEP) who are part of the Uyghur Friendship Group seek to bring to the attention of the international community the worrying developments currently occurring in the so-called Xinjiang Autonomous Region. Focusing in particular on the alarming situation in the region’s “re-education” camps as, the conference will also serve as an occasion to discuss immediate and – crucially – substantive action that the Group could take to put this issue not only on the EU’s agenda, but also raise it internationally.

Nearly one million Uyghurs are arbitrarily detained in “re-education” camps in China. This violent assimilation campaign driven by Beijing not only threatens the Uyghurs' culture, religion and language, but also the safety and integrity of thousands of families. The current situation in the so-called Uyghur Autonomous Region has deteriorated dramatically in the past year, with serious human rights violations becoming widespread and commonplace. The Chinese government’s repression of the Uyghur people has taken a truly dystopian turn as new surveillance and security technology is being used to control and monitor the Uyghur population. Motivated by the alleged need for “stability” at all costs in order to ensure the success of the Xi Jinping’s flagship programme, the “Belt and Road Initiative”, Uyghurs have been subjected to unprecedented levels of repression.

The Uyghur Friendship Group serves as an informal network of MEPs, representing the different political groups of the European Parliament, and delegates from EU member states, who come together on a regular basis to address the challenges the Uyghur community faces. Through its activities, the Group seeks to highlight the rich culture and traditions of the Uyghur community, as an important element of their identity. The “Friends of Uyghurs” Group is an open forum where MEPs, as well as representatives of other European institutions, non-governmental organisations and the Uyghur community can meet and exchange ideas and experiences.  

To register for the event, please fill out this form.