<
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/26/sanctioned-china-xinjiang-genocide-uighurs>
"It came as no surprise to me that I have been included on the list of those
sanctioned by the Chinese government for vocal criticisms of the human rights
abuses towards Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang province. China is not big on freedom
of speech.
In the tit-for-tat game that is part of foreign relations, this action is of
little consequence. On a personal level, I will be sad not to visit China
again, as I have great admiration for many Chinese academics and human rights
advocates with whom I have had contact. However, I have no assets to freeze, no
investments and no secret property, and my legal work seeking to protect human
rights will go on as before.
As a lawyer, my position on China’s conduct is evidence-based. We have all seen
the clear aggression against the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. I fear
for close lawyer friends there, such as Martin Lee and Margaret Ng, who are in
peril because of their courageous protection of the rule of law.
On the egregious crimes against the Uighur, I have heard directly the
testimonies of those who have suffered, especially exiled women who have been
sexually abused and raped, sterilised or forced to terminate pregnancies. Some
have been separated from children, who are sent to remand homes to be
deracinated – denied their religion and culture. I have seen the aerial
photographs showing the destruction of mosques and burial grounds. I have heard
from well-connected academics of forced labour, of the large numbers held in
re-education camps and the coerced movement of villagers to work in other parts
of China.
International lawyers are currently debating whether the available evidence
amounts to genocide. But to my mind the evidential pointers are clear: a
genocide is indeed in progress. The genocide convention requires signatory
nations in order to prevent genocide, not to merely wring our hands about it
when it is over.
China is as a dominant power in our world. It is taking a lead on climate
change, which is to be admired. And its belt-and-road policy has seen it offer
strong infrastructure assistance to developing countries in parts of Asia,
Africa and elsewhere. The downside of this strategic support is that the
indebtedness of less powerful countries is reflected in the support China is
able to enjoy at the UN."
Via Glyn Moody.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
