The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today expressed its strong support for the California Assembly resolution introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, which condemns the ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghur people in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and supports the work of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.
The resolution draws attention to the widespread human rights violations committed by the Chinese government against Uyghurs and other Turkic and Muslim-majority groups in Xinjiang. An estimated 1,000,000 to 1,800,000 people have been arbitrarily detained in more than 85 identified camps across the region. Furthermore, the Chinese government has engaged in practices such as forced sterilizations, abortions, and the separation of Uyghur children from their families.
In a statement, CAIR-CA Chief Executive Officer Hussam Ayloush said:
“We commend Assemblymember Gabriel for introducing this resolution, which highlights the urgent need for global awareness and action against the horrific human rights abuses perpetrated against the Uyghur people. As a civil rights organization dedicated to protecting the rights of all, CAIR-CA stands in solidarity with the Uyghur community in condemning the Chinese government’s systematic oppression, mass surveillance, forced labor, and cultural erasure of this predominantly Muslim ethnic group.
“By supporting this resolution, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting human rights and dignity for all, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or nationality. We call on other states and nations to follow California’s example and stand up against these atrocities. We must work together to bring an end to the suffering of the Uyghur people.”
CAIR-CA also applauded the efforts of the international community, including the United States, in implementing the federal Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which prevents goods produced with forced labor in Xinjiang from entering U.S. markets. The resolution acknowledges that 84% of China’s cotton production comes from the Uyghur region, with roughly one in five cotton garments sold globally containing cotton or yarn likely tainted by forced labor.