USCIRF Statement on Senate Committee's Holding China’s Human Rights Abusers Accountable
In response to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s unanimous vote to pass the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement
May 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2019
USCIRF Statement on Senate Committee’s Holding China’s Human Rights Abusers Accountable
WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s unanimous vote to pass the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement:
“We commend the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for upholding our country’s ideals about justice, human dignity, and religious freedom by passing this bill out of committee,” said USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee. “In particular, we applaud Senators Rubio and Menendez for standing up to the Chinese government’s brutal assault on the fundamental freedoms and dignity of the millions who suffer in these camps. For almost two decades, USCIRF has been sounding the alarm on the flagrant violations of human rights taking place in Xinjiang, and we urge the full Senate and the House of Representatives to approve this bill so that the full weight of the U.S. government can be brought to bear on those who are perpetrating these shocking abuses.”
The bipartisan legislation takes steps to hold Chinese government officials accountable for the ongoing, brutal repression of Uighur and other Muslims in Xinjiang, where more than 800,000 to possibly more than two million people are believed to be held in internment camps. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the bill, which currently has 33 cosponsors.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.