Problem Solvers Caucus Backs Bipartisan Bill to Support Uyghurs Against People’s Republic of China’s Abuse

WASHINGTON, DC– As the 2022 Winter Olympics begin in Beijing, the Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed bipartisan legislation to support the human rights of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The Uyghur Policy Act of 2021 creates a comprehensive strategy to raise international awareness of the persecution of Uyghurs, empower the State Department to respond to human rights challenges in the XUAR more effectively, and push back on the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) efforts to silence the Uyghurs. 

Representatives Young Kim (CA-39) and Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) brought the legislation for endorsement, which garnered the support of more than 75 percent of the Caucus.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2021 would: 

• Create a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues within the State Department; 
• Support U.S. efforts to raise Uyghur issues at the United Nations, including by supporting the appointment of a special rapporteur for the XUAR for human rights violations and abuses;
• Direct the U.S. Agency for Global Media to disseminate information concerning Uyghurs and other minority groups in the XUAR to Islamic majority countries and provide resources for human rights advocates to speak at diplomacy forums in those countries;  
• In coordination with allied and partner countries, call on the U.S. Government to develop a strategy to pressure the PRC to close all detention facilities and push for the immediate release of the millions of people inexcusably detained; 
• Require the State Department to offer Uyghur language training to Foreign Service Officers and assign an Uyghur-fluent officer to a U.S. diplomatic or consular mission in China. 

Read the full text here. 

“We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the genocide and crimes against humanity that are being committed at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party against the Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minorities in China,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).“Condemnation of these abhorrent human rights abuses alone is not enough. The US must urgently hold the repressive CCP accountable for their inhumane policies and criminal actions.”

“The United States must continue to hold China accountable for its grave human rights violations against the Uyghurs. With the Problem Solvers Caucus coming together to endorse this critical bipartisan legislation, we can create a comprehensive strategy to support the Uyghurs — to take a tangible step in bringing to light the egregious abuses of more than a million Uyghurs detained at ‘re-education’ camps. I am proud we are coming together across the aisle to urge swift passage of this bill,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05).

“As the world watches the Chinese government’s propaganda during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, we must speak out and take action to support those trapped under their control,” said Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39). “I thank my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues for their broad bipartisan support for the Uyghur Policy Act and taking concrete steps to support Uyghurs facing unthinkable atrocities every day simply because of their faith and ethnicity. I urge Speaker Pelosi to bring this bill to the floor for a House vote.” 

“As the world’s oldest democracy, the United States has a special responsibility in our response to the Chinese government’s persecution of the Uyghurs. We must raise international awareness about these violations, demand accountability, and push for the permanent closure of detention facilities,” said Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07). “Today, I am proud to see the Problem Solvers Caucus stand united in our support for the cause of human rights in China. With this endorsement of the Uyghur Policy Act, we continue to see momentum behind our bipartisan push to address the Chinese Communist Party’s actions against the Uyghur people. I want to thank Congresswoman Kim for co-leading this critical effort to counter human rights violations and reassert the United States as a global champion for human dignity and opportunity.”

“China’s treatment of the Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups is reprehensible, and they should be held accountable for their barbaric and inhumane actions,” said Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02). “No one should be detained, imprisoned, or tortured for their deeply held beliefs. Advocating for human rights, defending religious freedom, and denouncing genocide should not be a partisan issue, but an American one.” 

“The Chinese Communist Party is brutally and systematically trying to destroy the Uyghur people. The world must know. This legislation will help the work of so many good people trying to shine a light in these atrocities,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) who serves as Chair of the Uyghur Caucus, a Commissioner on the Congressional Executive Commission on China, and Vice Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

 “The genocide in Xinjiang is a gut check to the world of what happens when free speech and religious liberty are not fundamental rights,” said Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01). “The CCP must be held accountable for the atrocities committed against their own people. I proudly cosponsored the Uyghur Policy Act to send a message to Beijing that the United States and the world have taken notice of their abhorrent actions.” 

“The Chinese Communist Party is committing crimes against humanity against Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities, and the Uyghur Policy Act is an important tool to respond to China’s human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and push back on the global Chinese disinformation campaign,” Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02) said. “I condemn China’s treatment of Uyghurs and urge the global community to come together and continue taking a stand against these atrocities.” 

“China has lied, censored, and used economic coercion to stifle discussion of its crimes against Uyghurs,” said Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02). “Congress must hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable and give a strong voice to the millions of Uyghurs who are victims of genocide and forced labor. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill to combat Chinese human rights abuses and thank Congresswoman Kim for her leadership on this issue.”

“The United States needs to hold the CCP accountable on the global stage for the atrocious human rights violations they are committing against the Uyghur community,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales (TX-23). “We cannot turn a blind eye to these horrific acts and I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to stand up to China’s transgressions.”