After Trump Reelection Calls Grow to Renew US Focus on Uyghur Rights in Xinjiang: Following Trump’s reelection, Uyghur American leaders urge renewed U.S. action on Uyghur rights in Xinjiang. With calls for sanctions on China, enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and recognition of the Uyghur genocide, advocates stress the importance of addressing forced labor, transnational repression, and human rights abuses in China.
After Trump Reelection Calls Grow to Renew US Focus on Uyghur Rights in Xinjiang
Washington —In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, leaders within the Uyghur American community are once again urging the U.S. to increase its attention to the ongoing human rights abuses in Xinjiang, China. Here, Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have faced severe repression, according to numerous reports. It’s an issue that I believe requires urgent action, as the consequences of ignoring it extend far beyond just human rights — they affect global security and America’s position on the world stage.
Many advocates are calling on Trump to build on his administration’s previous efforts, which included labeling China’s actions as genocide and imposing sanctions on Chinese officials and entities associated with the alleged abuses. These measures targeted mass detentions, forced labor, and even sterilizations — practices that, to me, underscore a profound humanitarian crisis. Despite China’s repeated denials of these accusations, claiming their policies are aimed at combating extremism, the U.S. has a responsibility to take a firm stand on these issues.
Nury Turkel, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, has highlighted the bipartisan support that Uyghur rights have gained in both the U.S. legislative and executive branches. To me, this unity is crucial. Turkel explained that this issue isn’t just about human rights in a distant region. It’s about national security — about America’s long-term economic and strategic security.
“I’m optimistic that the incoming administration will continue to address these critical concerns,” Turkel said. This statement gives me hope that the work done during Trump’s first term — like the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act and the genocide designation — will not only continue but be expanded upon.
Renewed Calls for Action
Uyghur American leaders are determined to hold the new administration accountable for their promises. They plan to press for even more stringent sanctions on Chinese officials involved in abuses, pushing for a stronger U.S. response to these ongoing atrocities.
From my perspective, one of the most powerful tools we have in this battle is public awareness. As Rushan Abbas, executive director of the Campaign for Uyghurs, pointed out, enforcing laws like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act of 2021 is crucial. “Uyghurs are enduring a genocide,” she said, emphasizing that stopping the use of forced labor is not only a moral issue but also one of economic justice. We cannot afford to let American consumers unknowingly fuel China’s imperial ambitions.
By holding companies accountable and ensuring that products entering the U.S. aren’t tainted by forced labor, we can help dismantle this system of oppression. It’s about more than just policy — it’s about protecting our values and our economic integrity.
Salih Hudayar, Prime Minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, also stressed the importance of taking a stand on these issues. In my view, his call for the U.S. to recognize East Turkistan as an occupied nation is both timely and significant. Such recognition could directly challenge China’s geopolitical ambitions and help safeguard American interests across Asia.
Current Policy Challenges
Despite the clear calls for action, advocates are concerned that economic and strategic interests with China could once again overshadow the urgent need for a stronger U.S. response. Turkel’s insight into the complexities of U.S.-China relations resonates with me. “Climate activists and business interests have lobbied for a softer approach to China,” he said, noting how these pressures have influenced U.S. policy. As we’ve seen in recent years, broader geopolitical priorities — including economic ties with China — often sideline the human rights of the Uyghur people.
Even with commendable actions like the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the focus on Uyghur rights has sometimes been overshadowed by other priorities. I can’t help but wonder how much more could be accomplished if these efforts were given the sustained attention they deserve.
Addressing Transnational Repression
In addition to focusing on China’s actions within its borders, Uyghur American leaders are urging the Trump administration to address the transnational repression China is exerting on Uyghur Americans. Covert Chinese police stations in the U.S. have reportedly intimidated Uyghur Americans, which is a disturbing violation of U.S. sovereignty. In my opinion, this is something that cannot be allowed to continue.
Abbas also highlighted the issue of Uyghur detainees in China, urging the administration to work toward their release. “China continues to detain Uyghur family members and community leaders as a tactic to silence Uyghurs abroad,” she said. This is a chilling reminder of the lengths to which the Chinese government will go to suppress dissent. The U.S. must step up efforts to secure their release and stop the tactics of intimidation targeting Uyghurs in the diaspora.
Conclusion
The calls for action on Uyghur rights have never been more urgent. With Trump’s reelection, there is an opportunity to continue the progress made during his first term and amplify it. The U.S. must stand firm in its commitment to human rights, and in doing so, demonstrate its strength on the global stage.
As I see it, this isn’t just a foreign policy issue; it’s a matter of national security, economic integrity, and basic human decency. I hope the incoming administration will take concrete steps to ensure that the Uyghur people are no longer ignored and that America’s values are upheld in the face of rising global challenges.