The World Uyghur Congress, an advocacy group for Uyghur rights, issued a statement opposing Chinese President Xi Jinping's ongoing visit to Europe. They assert that China's strengthening relationship with Russia disregards the human rights violations against the Uyghur community perpetrated by China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping embarked on a six-day visit to Europe, marking his first trip to the continent since 2019, apart from his visit to Russia last year.

"The World Uyghur Congress noted that despite recent events such as arrests and charges linked to Chinese espionage within Europe, as well as China's growing alignment with Russia, European nations demonstrate differing levels of concern amidst a rising perception of China as a 'systemic rival'. The purpose of Xi's trip is to respond to criticism while emphasising sectors that are still open to Chinese influence," stated the WUC.

Dolkun Isa, President of the World Uyghur Congress, stated, "France should address the continuous human rights violations perpetrated by the Chinese regime in East Turkistan, Tibet, and Hong Kong, as well as across Europe, amidst China's expanding transnational repression."

He also emphasised the need for French President Emmanuel Macron to publicly raise the issue of the Uyghur genocide with Xi Jinping, urging an end to the ongoing oppression of the Uyghur people, in line with the resolution adopted by the Assemblée Nationale recognising the Uyghur genocide.

The statement outlined the agenda for the presidential meeting in France, which will centre on the increasing trade deficit between the EU and China, as well as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Furthermore, discussions in Serbia and Hungary will highlight the growing investment ties with China.

The statement also noted the significance of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade by NATO on May 7, 1999, which is expected to contribute significantly to Beijing's lasting mistrust of NATO.

The World Uyghur Congress opposes Europe's openness towards China and its leader, Xi Jinping. Hungary's stance blocking discussions on China's human rights abuses and the Uyghur genocide is concerning.

Additionally, the recent departure of a train carrying agricultural goods produced by Uyghur forced labour from East Turkistan to Salerno, Italy, is alarming.

The statement highlighted the EU forced labour regulation and due diligence directive, which subject products made by forced labour and companies involved in such violations to increased scrutiny, both within and outside the EU.

However, it noted a significant gap in addressing Uyghur forced labour specifically. France was urged to address China's state-import forced labour scheme and push for stronger EU trade measures against these violations.

Additionally, the WUC called on President Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to explicitly address Beijing's abuses against Tibetans, Hong Kongers, and Uyghurs, while taking a firm stance against the CCP's growing transnational repression.

Image source: ANI