China’s Modern-Day Concentration Camps
The Chinese government has detained around 1 million Muslims in the Xinjiang region of China in what has become a modern-day humanitarian crisis. The Chinese government has rounded up Uighurs, a minority group of Muslims, and placed them in a series of around 260 detention centers in Xinjiang, where they are being forced to work against their will. Not only that, but Uighurs are also being forced to completely renounce their religion by officials forcing them to engage in activities that are forbidden for Muslims, such as drinking alcohol and eating pork. The cruel treatment of these Muslims goes beyond being forced to drink alcohol and eat pork, however, as women are being subject to forced abortions in an effort by the Chinese government to lower the Muslim population in the country.
The list of atrocities committed against the Uighurs by the Chinese government is endless, as many different sources have revealed that the government has been illegally harvesting the organs of the Uighur people. The details of abuse against Uighur Muslims are horrific, as there have been numerous reports of the use of beatings and torture methods at the detention centers. In addition, those forced into the detention camps are allegedly being forced to study communist propaganda and chant slogans praising the Chinese President. Those who refuse are faced with up to 12 hours in confinement and other forms of punishment.
The Chinese government has repeatedly denied all accusations related to the torture of detainees, despite various testimonies, photos, and videos proving the reality of the situation. The Chinese government is fully aware of the atrocities being committed against the Uighurs within the walls of the detention facilities, but will only go as far as acknowledging the existence of these camps. The Chinese government refers to them “re-education camps”, stating that their sole purpose is to counter extremism and terrorism in the country, as well as to promote secularism in China. The issue is, however, that these Uighurs are not terrorists. They are people who are trying to practice their faith, but are forbidden to do so because their faith has been repeatedly weaponized, placing a target on their backs. Even if a Muslim woman were to cover her hair, she would be deemed a threat and punished for doing so. This is the reality that thousands of Uighurs are facing everyday, yet the Chinese government refuses to do anything about it, which is why it is our responsibility to bring awareness to this crisis.
Sources:
Washington Post
NBC
Business Insider
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