Jewish World Watch (JWW) applauds this week’s introduction of the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act (H.R. 1630) in the House of Representatives to support Uyghurs seeking asylum.
“The Jewish community understands viscerally the importance of providing refugee status to the Uyghurs fleeing an ongoing genocide,” said JWW Executive Director Serena Oberstein. “This bill would alleviate the constant fear of extradition for those who have escaped China’s deliberate and systematic persecution.”
The bipartisan legislation, introduced by Rep. Ted Deutch (D), Rep. Diaz-Balart (R), Rep. Chris Smith (R), and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D), would allow applicants to forgo a United Nations referral and apply directly as refugees to the U.S. government.
Many Uyghur refugees are currently seeking safety in countries with strong economic and diplomatic ties to China, leaving them at extreme risk of expulsion.
China has interned more than two million Uyghur people – many of whom have been relocated and forced into slave labor. The U.S. has declared the violations against the Uyghurs a genocide. Now Congress must act to safeguard Uyghurs who have escaped and ensure that their human rights are protected.
We are asking our supporters to contact their Representatives using our simple advocacy tool to urge them to be an early co-signer of this much-needed bill. While we continue to fight against human rights abuses within China, we cannot forget about those seeking a better life away from their homes.
In addition to this new bill, JWW will be advocating for the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (H.R. 1155 & S. 65) at our upcoming Uyghur Week of Action beginning March 29, 2021.