Muslim NGOs protest China's treatment of Uyghurs

A group of 30 protesters lined up outside the China Embassy in Kuala Lumpur today urging Beijing to release Uyghurs detained in Xinjiang 'political re-education' camps.

Holding a large banner and placards in the afternoon sun, protesters repeated chants of "Bebas Uyghur (Free Uyghurs)" and "Peduli Uyghur (Care about the Uyghurs)."

Three of the protesters then walked towards the embassy building to hand over a memorandum endorsed by 34 Muslim NGOs, but no officials appeared outside to receive it. 

"This is only our first gathering here. We will be back again," Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) president Mohd Raimi told reporters.

"We ask the Chinese government and the embassy here to not be arrogant. Other governments, even those who are considered to be superpowers, at least receive the memorandums given to them."

Raimi (photo) said that the contents of the memorandum would be published as an open letter, and that more Muslims would be mobilised to stand up for the Uyghur minority in China. 

The memorandum calls for the immediate release of all Uyghurs detained in the camps, as well as for Beijing to respect the community's basic rights – including religious freedom – and to put a stop to forced cultural assimilation.

Majlis Perundingan Islam Malaysia (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid, meanwhile, vowed to mobilise all 57 Muslim countries to pile pressure on China.

"As Muslims, will not just sit there and let this happen. Muslims will not keep quiet, we will rise up and send a warning to China.

"If you do not stop it, we will mobilise all the 57 Muslim countries. 

"You must stop the atrocities. If you want to have good relations with Muslim countries, you'd better behave," he stressed.

Azmi (photo) added that the groups will also urge Putrajaya not to compromise on the rights of the Uyghurs for the sake of economic benefit.

Abim secretary-general Muhammad Faizal Abdul Aziz also took aim at China's soft diplomacy, which he said involves inviting politicians on sponsored trips to Xinjiang to hide the truth on the detention camps.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Chinese embassy for comments.

Last December, the embassy issued a statement saying that the ‘re-education camps’ are part of measures to counter terrorism and extremism in the region.

"Like many of other countries and Malaysia, China has been the victim of terrorism and firmly opposes terrorism," it said.

Besides Abim and Mapim, the 34 NGOs that signed the memorandum include the Ikram Association (Ikram) and the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM). - Mkini