Uighur-American politician condemns alleged ‘halal organ’ trade in China

The treatment of Uighurs in China is extremely concerning, and there have been serious allegations of human rights abuses, including forced organ harvesting.

In March, during a US congressional committee hearing, experts had claimed that Chinese authorities had collected genetic information from the Muslim Uighur minority to support a forced organ transplant programme to attract Muslim medical tourists from Gulf countries.

In a post on X, Uyghur-American politician Saleh Hudayar said, “China has inaugurated a “children’s organ transplant center.” As part of the Uyghur genocide, China is harvesting the organs of Uyghurs and selling them as “halal organs.” Since 2014, nearly one million Uyghur children have been forcibly separated from their families. Is this another step in China’s ongoing Uyghur genocide and infamous organ harvesting practices?”

#China has inaugurated the “Children’s Organ Transplant Centre”. #Uyghur genocideChina is collecting organs of Uighurs and selling them as “halal organs”. Since 2014, it has been collecting organs of nearly one million Uighurs and selling them as “halal organs”. #Uighur Children have been forcibly separated from their families. Is this… pic.twitter.com/abeBfMy91s

— Salih Hudayar (@SalihHudayar) June 23, 2024

There have been allegations and reports from a variety of sources, including testimonies from human rights organizations and individuals, suggesting that Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim minorities in Xinjiang have faced severe repression, including forced labor, mass internment, and possibly forced organ harvesting.

These claims are serious and demand thorough investigation and accountability.

According to the Minnesota-based nonprofit World Without Genocide, Uighurs are being killed for their organs to meet demand for the lucrative transplant industry, worth about US$1 billion a year.

These allegations are serious and have been raised by testimonies from various human rights organisations, investigative journalists and individuals who claim to have been affected by or have information about such practices.

However, due to the secretive nature of the Chinese government and limited independent access to Xinjiang, verifying these claims with concrete evidence remains challenging.

International bodies and governments have called for an investigation into these allegations and stressed the need for transparency and accountability from the Chinese authorities.

Advocacy groups are continuing to monitor the situation and are calling for an international investigation to ensure the protection of the human rights and dignity of all individuals affected.