Uighurs of Xinjiang

Uighurs of Xinjiang

#GS-02 International Relations

For Prelims:

About Uyghurs

  • The Uyghurs alternatively spelled Uighurs, Uygurs or Uigurs, are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia.
  • The Uyghurs have traditionally inhabited a series of oases scattered across the Taklamakan Desert within the Tarim Basin.
  • The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China.
  • They are one of China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities.

For Mains:

Why Uyghurs are in News?

  • India has abstained from UNHRC vote on Uighur Muslims brought by the US, Britain and Canada.
  • The motion failed to pass since it only was able to gain 17 votes in favor and 19 against while 11 countries abstained from voting.
  • India said that it is sticking to its policy of not voting against any country in institutions like the UNHRC.

Why was the motion brought?

  • Human rights groups believe China has detained more than one million Uyghurs against their will over the past few years in a large network of what the state calls “re-education camps”, and sentenced hundreds of thousands to prison terms.
  • The leading human rights groups Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have published reports accusing China of crimes against humanity.