E-IR: The ICC and Non-State Actors in the Xinjiang Crisis

 

"The ICC and Non-State Actors in the Xinjiang Crisis"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

E-International Relations

15 July, 2021

Originally published: https://www.e-ir.info/2021/07/15/opinion-the-icc-and-non-state-actors-in-the-xinjiang-crisis/

 As the humanitarian crisis continues in Xinjiang, the East Turkestan government-in-exile (ETGE) has delivered new evidence to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to demonstrate said international judicial body’s jurisdiction. Without a doubt, the international community, particularly global and regional powers, has a critical role to play in stopping the egregious human rights abuses that have occurred for several years against various ethnic groups in this region, including atrocities committed against the Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and ethnic Kyrgyz. However, in light of the inaction by many key governments, the East Turkestan government-in-exile and activists are turning to non-state actors, like the ICC and private corporations, to pressure Beijing to end its repressive policies.

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World Politics Review: No U.S. President Has Ever Visited Central Asia. Biden Can Change That

 "No U.S. President Has Ever Visited Central Asia. Biden Can Change That"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

9 April, 2021

World Politics Review

Originally published: https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29559/no-u-s-president-has-ever-visited-central-asia-biden-can-change-that

As President Joe Biden’s foreign policy takes shape, one issue that still needs clarification is the role of Central Asia. Discussions in Washington about the region usually occur not on its own terms, but in the context of broader issues about Russian and Chinese influence, or security concerns around terrorism and the war in Afghanistan. However, Central Asia is important to the U.S. in its own right. For one thing, it is composed of frontier markets that can be attractive to U.S. companies, apart from the energy firms that already operate there. And some governments share the Biden administration’s interest in environmental protection. Moreover, some Central Asian countries, like Kazakhstan, have a strong interest in taking bilateral ties with the United States to a new level. The Biden administration should capitalize on this with a high-level trip to a region that has never been visited by a sitting American president.

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Geopolitical Monitor: What Can Biden Do about the Uyghur Genocide?

 

"What Can Biden Do about the Uyghur Genocide?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

Geopolitical Monitor

19 February, 2021

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/what-can-the-biden-administration-do-about-human-rights-violations-in-xinjiang/

 Among the many foreign policy issues that the new Joseph Biden administration has to address, the ongoing violation of the human rights of hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in Xinjiang (East Turkistan), will have to be a top priority. The US government has a complex and complicated relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and the situation will not improve as long as the Chinese government continues its repression of Uyghurs, and other minorities.

 Governments make their moves

The adjectives used by US authorities to describe the situation have become particularly grave in the first couple of months of the new year. Case in point, on his last day in office, then-US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo used the term “genocide” to describe what is happening in Xinjiang/East Turkistan. “China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang, China, targeting Uighur Muslims and members of other ethnic and religious minority groups,” the now former senior official said in a 19 January tweet.

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The Diplomat: In New York, Protesters Mark ‘Global Day of Action’ Against the CCP

 

"In New York, Protesters Mark ‘Global Day of Action’ Against the CC"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Debate

The Diplomat

October 19, 2020

Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2020/10/in-new-york-protesters-mark-global-day-of-action-against-the-ccp/

 

 Protests took place in major cities across the world on October 1 – China’s National Day – to highlight the repressive activities of the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) against various communities that live under its rule. I covered the protests that took place in New York City as part of the “Global Day of Action,” where roughly 150 people gathered in front of the United Nations headquarters to make their voices heard.

 

 

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Geopolitical Monitor: The Mulan Scandal and China’s Central Asia Problem

"The Mulan Scandal and China’s Central Asia Problem"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Opinion

Geopolitical Monitor

24 September, 2020

Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/the-mulan-scandal-and-chinas-central-asia-problem/

The scandal surrounding the remake of the Disney movie Mulan has again drawn international attention to the egregious human rights violations of Uyghurs and other minorities living in Xinjiang (also known as East Turkestan) in the People’s Republic of China. 

The Mulan controversy

Principal photography of Mulan took place in 2018 in New Zealand, as well as several locations in China. In the credits of the film, “Disney offers ‘special thanks’ to eight government entities in Xinjiang, including the public security bureau in Turpan, a city in eastern Xinjiang where several re-education camps have been documented.” When these names were noticed by moviegoers, the situation went viral and subsequently attracted international media attention. Online condemnation followed, including calls to boycott the film.

The situation in Xinjiang has been widely reported, as Beijing jailed tens of thousands of Uighurs, accusing them of inciting violence and terrorism. International human rights organizations have stated that this strategy amounts to cultural genocide, as Uyghurs in said camps are tortured and subjected to brainwashing to erase their identity. Government documents leaked in 2019 explain in detail some of Beijing’s methods and procedures in the camps. Some norms include: “increase discipline and punishment of behavioral violations,” and “make remedial Mandarin studies the top priority.”

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Geopolitcal Monitor: In Xinjiang, Ethnic Kazakhs Suffer alongside Uyghurs

"In Xinjiang, Ethnic Kazakhs Suffer alongside Uyghurs"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Geopolitical Monitor
Opinion
March 31, 2020
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/in-xinjiang-ethnic-kazakhs-suffer-alongside-uyghurs/

 The recent award given to Sairagul Sauytbay, namely the U.S. State Department’s International Women of Courage Award (IWOC), has helped maintain international attention on the campaign of repression currently being carried out in East Turkestan (called Xinjiang by the Chinese government) against the Uyghur population, and other ethnic groups in the region, including ethnic Kazakhs.

In an exclusive interview, Mrs. Sauytbay shared her thoughts about how the US and the rest of the international community can keep pressure on China, and also what else the Kazakhstan government can do about the situation faced by ethnic Kazakhs in East Turkestan. Kazakhstan is generally regarded as the “buckle” in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, but this strong dependency on Chinese investment and trade comes at a heavy price.

 
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The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Geopoliticalmonitor.com or any institutions with which the authors are associated.

Geopolitical Monitor: Business as Usual with Beijing as Uyghurs Languish in “Education Camps”

"Business as Usual with Beijing as Uyghurs Languish in 'Education Camps'"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Geopolitical Monitor
Opinion
December 30, 2019
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/business-as-usual-with-beijing-as-uyghurs-languish-in-education-camps/


As hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic Kyrgyz continue to be imprisoned in so-called “education camps” in the People’s Republic of China, governments around the world continue to interact with Beijing, including deciding to establish diplomatic ties with the Chinese government instead of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as has been the recent case of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.

Every country has a duty to protect and promote its own national interests, however it is problematic that many governments continue to praise Beijing in spite of obvious, and well-documented by now, human rights violations against an entire culture.
 

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