European Parliament Demands Release of Uyghur Activists
Strasbourg Session Highlights Human Rights Concerns
In a recent session held in Strasbourg, the European Parliament (EP) voiced serious concerns over China’s treatment of Uyghur activists and other minority groups. The EP adopted a resolution calling for the immediate release of Ilham Tohti, a 2019 Sakharov Prize laureate, and Gulshan Abbas, along with others unjustly detained in China.
Condemnation of Human Rights Violations
The resolution condemns the human rights abuses against Uyghurs, Tibetans, and residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. It demands the closure of internment camps and denounces policies like forced labor and intense surveillance, which are seen as crimes against humanity.
Call for Sanctions and Legal Actions
The EP urged the EU and its member states to impose additional sanctions on Chinese officials involved in these violations and to address the repression of Chinese dissidents abroad. The resolution was passed with 540 votes in favor, 23 against, and 47 abstentions.
Specific Cases Highlighted
The EP highlighted the case of Gulshan Abbas, a retired doctor serving a 20-year sentence on unfounded charges, and Ilham Tohti, an economist sentenced to life imprisonment for ‘separatism.’ These cases underscore the systemic repression in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Global Call to Action
The EP called for the suspension of extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong and urged the international community to respect human rights principles. The resolution reflects growing global pressure on China to address these human rights issues.
Doubts Revealed
European Parliament -: The European Parliament is a group of people who make important decisions for countries in Europe. They work together to create laws and policies that affect all the countries in the European Union.
Uyghur -: Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in a region called Xinjiang in China. They have their own unique culture, language, and traditions.
Ilham Tohti -: Ilham Tohti is a Uyghur economist and activist who has been speaking out for the rights of Uyghur people. He was put in jail by the Chinese government for his activism.
Gulshan Abbas -: Gulshan Abbas is a Uyghur doctor who was also imprisoned by the Chinese government. Her case has drawn international attention as part of the broader issue of Uyghur rights.
Human rights violations -: Human rights violations happen when people are treated unfairly or cruelly, and their basic rights are not respected. In this case, it refers to how the Chinese government is treating the Uyghur people.
Internment camps -: Internment camps are places where people are kept against their will, often in poor conditions. The Chinese government has been accused of putting many Uyghurs in these camps.
Forced labor -: Forced labor means making people work without their choice, often in harsh conditions. It is considered a violation of human rights.
Surveillance -: Surveillance is when someone is watched closely, often using cameras or other technology. In this context, it refers to how the Chinese government is monitoring Uyghur people.
Sanctions -: Sanctions are penalties or restrictions put on a country or its officials to make them change their behavior. The European Parliament is suggesting these to pressure China to improve its human rights record.
Dissidents -: Dissidents are people who disagree with and speak out against the government. In this case, it refers to those who oppose the Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs.
