U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., is championing a proposal to “designate Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region suffering persecution at the hands of the Chinese government as priority refugees and expedite their ability to apply for asylum in the United States.”
Last week, U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., introduced the “Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act,” with Salazar joining U.S. Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Gregory Meeks, D-NY, as co-sponsors.
The bill would give “Priority 2 (P-2) designation to Uyghurs seeking to escape the horrific repression currently being waged by the Chinese Communist Party. P-2 designation is used for those refugees of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. who have pressing need for resettlement and swift access to the U.S. asylum process” and “also seeks to protect Uyghur refugees who have fled to countries outside of China besides the U.S., directing the U.S. Secretary of State to prioritize diplomatic efforts in those countries who often face intense pressure from the Chinese government to extradite Uyghurs back to China.”
“The horrific atrocities that Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities are facing at the hands of the Chinese government are a global human rights emergency, and the United States cannot turn our back to those fleeing this persecution,” said Wexton. “I’ve heard firsthand from Uyghur constituents about their fears for their relatives trying to escape the horrors in Xinjiang. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to give those suffering this oppression hope for a path to expedited refugee status and asylum.”
“The Uyghur Genocide perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party is one of the most horrific crimes against humanity we have ever witnessed,” said Salazar. “Our refugee system was designed to provide protection to those who need it most. We must ensure this system is ready to receive those that are able to escape the systematic persecution and torture Uyghurs and other oppressed minorities are suffering from in Xinjiang.”
The Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) is backing the proposal.
“The U.S. government has deemed the oppression of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities by the Chinese government as a genocide. The years-long systematic discrimination has included the arbitrary detention of an estimated one million Uyghurs with evidence of forced labor, forced sterilization, torture, and denial of cultural and religious practices,” Salazar’s office noted.
The bill was sent to the U.S. House Judiciary and the Foreign Affairs Committees. So far, there is no companion measure in the U.S. Senate.
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