Bipartisan Push to Protect Uyghur Refugees Gains Momentum

The Campaign for Uyghurs backs the reintroduction of the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act, which would grant P-2 refugee status to Uyghurs fleeing persecution. The proposed bipartisan legislation and its swift enactment are crucial for aiding Uyghurs, who face systemic oppression and uncertainty in the US.

Support is building for the reintroduction of the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act, as the Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) highlights its potential impact. This bipartisan legislation proposes granting Priority 2 (P-2) refugee status to Uyghurs escaping persecution, offering them a critical pathway to safety.

The bill, backed by Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), and Gregory Meeks (D-NY), aims to grant direct access to the US refugee resettlement program, expediting asylum processes for Uyghurs. CFU underscores the urgent need for such measures, given the ongoing transnational repression many Uyghurs face, resulting in prolonged uncertainty.

Highlighting the seriousness of the situation, CFU points to incidents such as the recent deportation of over 40 Uyghurs from Thailand to China, a region heavily criticized for its human rights violations. Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of CFU, stresses that passing this bill would demonstrate the United States' dedication to human rights and support for Uyghurs at risk of genocide. The CFU calls on Congress to act decisively to pass this significant legislation.

(With inputs from agencies.)