In Conversation with Foundation For Uyghur Freedom

Director of Foundation for Uyghur Freedom,

of Uyghur Muslims

tion is not enough to cease genocide. Instead, this manifests as fraudulent pageantry in an inadequate attempt to right wrongs. This is evident through the lack of effort in boycotting the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing or imposing broader economic sanctions on China. In reality, China’s growing economic and geopolitical influence has made Western countries significantly cautious in their approach to the Uyghur genocide. China is a crucial trading partner for many Western countries, and many governments are reluctant to take actions that could harm economic relations.

any first-hand accounts from Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang? Please feel free to share them.

AC: In June 2022, we interviewed Jewher Ilham, daughter of Ilham Tohti. Ilham Tohti is an economics professor at Minzu University and was sentenced to life in prison by the Chinese government. She detailed her father’s imprisonment under the CCP as well as the several instances of discrimination and hardships that they have both gone through, including the troubling experiences she has been through since her father’s release. Jewher Ilham has been tirelessly campaigning for her father’s release and we wanted to help to spread her campaign. The whole live stream can be found on our Instagram page.

be wide international condemnation and sustained economic pressure. The CCP must know that their Uyghur genocide will have substantial economic and reputational consequences.

É: What would you want to say to university students who read this interview and may not know much about the current situation but want to get involved in the cause?

AIMEE Courtney is the Director of the Foundation for Uyghur Freedom, a non-profit charity organisation which aims to raise awareness about the persecution of Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region. There are many accounts of people who have had their relatives disappear in the camps and no one really knows what is happening to them. But one thing for certain is that they are being held against their will and are being persecuted. Detailed satellite analysis has revealed dozens of supsected camps across Xinjiang. The Chinese government has described them as “re-education camps”, yet former camp detainees have described them as de facto prisons implementing persecution. Benedict Thompson, Features Editor, talks to Aimee Courtney about the current situation in Xinjiang as well as the Foundation for Uyghur Freedom’s campaign efforts.

É: Please explain a bit about how you became involved in campaigning on human rights in China?

AC: I first read about the Uyghur genocide as a case study in school and was astounded by the lack of coverage there was about it on Western media platforms. The more I discussed it with others, the more I recognised how little my peers knew about the subject, which is indicative of the extent to which Uyghur voices have been silenced, information has been censored, and protesters suppressed worldwide. .

É: What is the goal of your campaign?

AC: We are a non-profit charity organisation and the Foundation’s aims are two-fold: raising awareness of the Uyghur genocide amongst the British public and lobbying the UK govern- ment to take greater action on this issue.

É: Based on your knowledge and experience, what should people know about how the Uyghurs are being treated in Xinjiang?

AC: Uyghurs have faced mass incarceration and internment, intimidation, the destruction of cultural sites and symbols, displacement, family separation, and forced assimilation. The Xinjiang province is dominated by concentration camps. It is estimated that up to 1.8 million Uyghurs have been detained in internment camps in Xinjiang. The aim of the camps, as outlined in a 2017 report, from the Xinjiang Ministry of Justice is to “wash brains, cleanse hearts, support the right, remove the wrong.”

These camps involve brutal measures such as forced sterilisation, organ donation, systemic rape, torture, and indoctrination by CCP instructed guards, all while both the province and the camps are ruled by an Orwellian-type, extensive surveillance. In recent years, the CCP has invested billions in building new infrastructure and industry in Xinjiang, attracting more Han migrants to the region. The CCP’s actions against the Uyghurs are much like the genocides carried out by other settler colonial powers throughout history. Beijing hopes to forcibly remove Uyghurs from Xinjiang, to crush the ethnic solidarity of the Uyghur people, and to turn their homeland into a Chinese commercial hub.

É: What is on your mind about the approach which Western governments have taken towards the situation?

AC: Western approaches, such as imposing small sanctions on Chinese officials and entities linked to human rights abuses, and calling for an independent investigation into the situa-

É: How do you think western governments should approach China’s treatment of Uyghur’s Muslims in the future?

AC: Recently, several countries have declared that China’s actions against the Uyghurs constitute genocide. One potential approach that Western governments could take is to increase their efforts to raise awareness of the situation and bring attention to the issue on the global stage. This could involve continued public condemnation of China’s treatment of Uyghurs, as well as efforts to coordinate international responses to the issue. Western governments could explore further targeted economic sanctions and trade restrictions on goods produced in the Xinjiang region that are believed to be produced using forced labour. This could help to exert pressure on China to improve its treatment of Uyghurs while avoiding broader economic consequences that could harm both China and the global economy. There has been some effort with political and economic sanctions, but they have led to a huge backlash from China. Furthermore, Western governments could work to support Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers who have fled China to escape persecution. This could involve providing funding for humanitarian aid programs, offering resettlement opportunities, and supporting advocacy efforts on behalf of Uyghur communities. Overall, addressing China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims will require a multifaceted approach that involves a range of diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian efforts.

É: Have you been told about

É: When you see the satellite images and videos of people kneeling, blindfolded and being led to trains, and hear the Chinese ambassador to the UK denying them, what goes through your mind?

AC: The Chinese government has denied that these facilities are internment camps and has characterised them as training centres aimed at combating extremism and terrorism. However, the evidence and testimony from witnesses suggest that these facilities are used to detain Uyghurs and other minorities without trial or legal process, subjecting them to forced labour, political indoctrination, and other forms of abuse. It is simply the realities of China’s power in the Western world. It is horrifying and arguably the largest atrocity to take place in the modern world, whilst simultaneously silenced in Western popular culture and media.

É: What is something people aren’t aware of from watching the media coverage about the situation?

AC: There is a large majority of people that are completely uninformed of the Uyghur genocide. People are uniformed that an extraordinary number of government officials are aware and have acknowledged that such atrocities are happening in Xinjiang, however the motion does not compel the UK government to act upon it. The CCP claims the camps to be ‘re-education camps’ and ‘vocational’ centres. However, they conceal the brainwashing, sexual abuse and torture that occurs within them.

É: Do you have hope that the situation will one day eventually be resolved? What is needed to enable this?

AC: For the CCP to change their policy of Uyghur genocide, there must

AC: It is not unrealistic to believe you can make a difference even by simply staying informed, culturally aware, and to continue to educate yourself and others. Additionally, pressure world governments by signing petitions, and writing to your local MP to call into question their stance on the situation. According to Anti-Slavery International, “virtually the entire global apparel industry is tainted by forced Uyghur labour.” Therefore, we must shop ethically, and boycott ‘Made in China’. The only way to be certain that companies are not using Uyghur forced labour (or that you may be implicit) is to boycott any retailers selling products made in China. This is a large part of the Foundation’s goals as fast fashion has greatly inhibited Uyghur freedom, and has instead exacerbated the genocide. We run a ‘Boycott Made in China’ section of our website. Our BMIC division takes you to websites where retailers linked have confirmed that their products are not assembled in China, do not use parts made in China, and do not contain materials sourced from China. In turn, shop sustainably with smaller businesses that provide evidence for ethical clothing or thrift your wardrobe! Most importantly, encourage others to get involved and spread knowledge of the ever-increasing yet silenced Uyghur genocide.