It has been over half a decade since the Chinese government intensified its repression of Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in the Xinjiang region to a level warranting the designation of crimes against humanity and possibly genocide. The former UN High Commissioner Michele Bachelet just released the long-awaited Xinjiang report, which details the Chinese government’s egregious and horrific human rights violations and concludes the Chinese government may have committed international crimes, in particular, crimes against humanity. In light of overwhelming credible evidence, besides the report from the former High Commissioner, human rights organizations, civil society, and UN special rapporteurs have warned the world that Chinese authorities are carrying out a campaign of persecution against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, including mass surveillance and detention, forced sterilization, torture, cultural and ethnic erasure, and forced labor.

While world leaders come together during the UN General Assembly in New York, the Atlantic Council and Human Rights Watch invite you to a panel event at 3:15 PM ET on Monday, September 19, 2022, concerning Chinese government atrocity crimes. This discussion will shine a light on civil society efforts in documenting these atrocities and advancing the protection of Uyghur rights, as well as the way forward to seek a stronger international response. It will also address how civil society can leverage UN mechanisms to address these grave human rights abuses and ensure that all the recommendations outlined in the High Commissioner’s report can be implemented.

This discussion will take place in person in midtown Manhattan. Registration is required to attend and event location information will be sent shortly after registration. Check-in for the event will begin at 2:50 pm ET. Early arrival is encouraged to ensure timely check-in. The event is open to press and on-the-record.

Featuring

Moderated by

Opening remarks by