In a landmark ruling, the Court of the Citizens of the World (CCW) has held Chinese President Xi Jinping directly responsible for the genocide of Uyghurs in East Turkistan, also known as Xinjiang, China. The tribunal, convened in The Hague, Netherlands, concluded after hearings from July 8 to 12, 2024, that China under Xi Jinping’s leadership systematically planned and executed acts of genocide and crimes against humanity.
East Turkistan, once an independent region, saw the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China annex it in 1949. The Chinese government subsequently established the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, triggering decades of suppression and cultural erasure policies aimed at Uyghur and other Turkic ethnic groups.
The tribunal, which operates as a quasi-judicial body, emphasized the right to self-determination under international law, asserting that China’s actions aim to forcibly integrate East Turkistan into the Chinese nation. Testimonies from victims detailed severe repression, including mass internment, forced labor, and cultural suppression.
The CCW’s judgment accuses China of using policies under the guise of combating extremism to erode Uyghur identity systematically. The tribunal’s presiding judge highlighted the ongoing nature of the Uyghur Genocide, characterizing it as a vigorous attempt to eradicate the Uyghur community.
This verdict marks a significant development in the international response to China’s human rights abuses, with implications for diplomatic relations and global accountability mechanisms. The ETGE, representing East Turkistan’s people, welcomed the ruling and called for global action to address China’s alleged atrocities.
The Chinese government has consistently denied allegations of genocide, arguing its policies aim at counter-terrorism and economic development. International human rights groups and governments have condemned China’s actions, calling for independent investigations and accountability for those responsible.
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