Due to its sheer size, the displacement of its economy and its military might, China is accustomed to breaking rules and getting away with it. Be it unfair competition, pollution, violation of international law or breaches of human rights, Beijing goes largely unchecked.
The European Union, probably the world’s most active champion of rules and rights, often appears reluctant to confront China. It was therefore good to see the European Parliament pass a resolution on October 10 which holds Beijing accountable for the way it treats its own citizens.
What is more, the resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 540 in favour, 23 against and 47 abstentions, is worded in an unusually blunt manner.
European lawmakers condemn the Chinese government’s persecution of Uyghurs and urge China to immediately and unconditionally release detainees, including Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas.
Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group of Turkic Central Asian origin with a population of around 11 million living in China’s Xinjiang province. The Chinese government has reportedly arbitrarily detained more than a million Muslims in “re-education” camps since 2017.
The parliament “demands that the PRC authorities halt their repression and targeting of Uyghurs with abusive policies, including intense surveillance, forced labour, sterilisation, birth prevention measures and the destruction of Uyghur identity, which amount to crimes against humanity and a serious risk of genocide.” It also “calls for the closure of all internment camps”.
Tohti, a 54-year-old economist, was sentenced to life in prison in 2014 on charges of separatism. Tohti, who in 2019 was presented with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament, has been an advocate for dialogue between Uyghurs and the Han Chinese.
Gulshan Abbas, a 62-year-old retired doctor, was arrested in 2018 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The terrorism-related charges against her are considered to be only a pretext. The reason behind her imprisonment is that her sister, Rushan Abbas, is an Uyghur human rights activist in the United States.
Rushan Abbas told the Voice of America: “The adoption of this resolution by the European Parliament signifies more than symbolic recognition; it is a decisive step toward accountability and justice for the countless Uyghur lives devastated by China’s oppressive policies.”
“It is imperative that EU member states not only recognize their moral duty but also seize this political moment to implement sanctions that reinforce this resolution. Our collective demand for justice and the protection of human rights must manifest in substantive measures.”
Human Rights Watch and other NGOs stress that China exploits Uyghurs by forcing them into slave labour. Rushan Abbas warns EU companies in particular against doing business with Chinese manufacturers who profit from forced labour practices.
Of course, the Chinese government denies such accusations, claiming that its measures combat terrorism and extremism. However, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to issue an official response to the European Parliament’s resolution.
China is the EU’s second largest trading partner, so there are pragmatic limitations to how tough Brussels can afford to get on Beijing. Still, it is important that Europe does not turn a blind eye on Chinese authoritarian practices. The Parliament’s decision is a step in the right direction.
The PRC is rapidly turning into a hi-tech, postmodern, state-capitalist dystopia. We may feed the dragon and enjoy its goods, but we cannot pretend not to see its bads.
