US political parties criticised for silence on Uighur genocide

The ongoing humanitarian crisis in China’s Xinjiang province has been criticised by global human rights advocates, as both Democratic and Republican platforms for the 2024 US elections fail to address the Uighur genocide.

Saleh Hudayar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security of the East Turkistan government-in-exile and leader of the East Turkistan National Movement, expressed deep disappointment over the omission and called it a “grave injustice to the people who suffered under China’s brutal genocidal regime.”

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hudayar stressed the importance of moving beyond mere recognition of the genocide.

he/she stressed, “Acknowledging the genocide is not enough; it requires decisive action.” Hudayar urged both sides to take meaningful action to end the atrocities and support the Uighur people’s right to self-determination and independence.

The Uighur genocide, recognized by both the Trump and Biden administrations, involves the systematic persecution of Uighur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in China’s Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

Reports by various human rights organizations have noted widespread human rights abuses, including mass internment, forced labor, forced sterilization, and destruction of Uyghur cultural heritage.

Despite international condemnation and the U.S. government’s recognition of the genocide, the lack of concrete action in recent years has raised concerns among advocates.

According to Hudayar, the omission of this crisis from the 2024 platforms of both major US political parties signals a worrying shift in priorities.

“Both sides have a moral duty to lead the global fight against genocide and uphold the principles of human rights and freedom,” Hudayar said.

he/she called on the US to take a strong stance against China’s actions in Xinjiang and support the people of East Turkistan in their quest for independence.

As the world watches the US election, the lack of a firm commitment to addressing the Uighur genocide in party platforms has sparked renewed debate over the country’s role in global human rights advocacy.