Ireland should take a lead role in raising the Chinese government’s campaign of “genocide” against the Uighur people [1] when it takes its seat on the UN Security Council in January, the chairman of the executive committee of the Uighur World Congress has said.
Addressing a webinar organised by Senator Rónán Mullen, Omer Kanat called on Ireland to use its position on the Security Council to help his people, and referenced the Nazi extermination campaign against the Jews.
“The world said never again, but never again is happening now in China and no-one can claim they don’t know,” he said.
Mr Kanat said he “would like to ask Ireland to take the lead in organising support for a UN Security Council agenda item to propose a commission of inquiry.”
“Everyone should be shocked that such a resolution has not even been proposed so far.”
He added that Ireland should also support EU sanctions against Chinese officials and companies aiding surveillance and forced labour in Xinjiang, and ban government procurement from Chinese companies involved in the surveillance operation.