Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 (H.R. 2766), led by Rep. Young Kim (CA-40) to help the United States take concrete steps to support Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities subject to atrocities by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
This bipartisan, bicameral bill would create a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to raise international awareness of the persecution of Uyghurs, direct the State Department to effectively respond to human rights challenges in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and push back on the CCP efforts to silence Uyghur voices.
Rep. Kim spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 2766. Watch her remarks here.
“Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities – just because of their identity – are repeatedly silenced, detained, imprisoned, tortured, and brainwashed in concentration camps led by the Chinese Communist Party. We must show through our words and actions that we stand against Uyghur genocide and the CCP’s repeated disinformation, coercion, and abuse,” said Rep. Young Kim, Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific. “The Uyghur Policy Act equips the U.S. with tools needed to support the basic human rights and distinct identities of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region subject to the CCP’s inhumane treatment. I thank Rep. Bera for co-leading this bill with me, the 106 cosponsors for your support, and all who joined this effort to stop Uyghur genocide. I will continue to fight to get this done, firmly push back against the CCP’s abuses, and support human rights and freedom around the world.”
“I am pleased to see the Uyghur Policy Act pass by a broad bipartisan majority in the House. This bill takes crucial steps to bolster American efforts to safeguard the distinct ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Uyghur people and promote respect for human rights and religious freedom in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The United States Congress must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold human rights at home and abroad,” said Rep. Ami Bera, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee.
“This House vote gives huge hope to Uyghurs. Our people are now suffering the 7th year of ongoing atrocity crimes,” said Omer Kanat, Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project. “With Rep. Kim’s hard work and tremendous bipartisan support for passage of the Uyghur Policy Act, Uyghurs know they are not forgotten. We are asking the Senate to act without delay.”
Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
The Uyghur Policy Act passed the House in an overwhelmingly bipartisan manner last Congress.
