The House of Representatives has passed the bipartisan Uyghur Policy Act (H.R. 2635), a bill designed to create a comprehensive strategy for the United States to support Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities facing human rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The legislation is led by Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06), Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, and Committee Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-05).
Rep. Young Kim, who currently serves as Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, stated, “For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has orchestrated the forced sterilization, enslavement, and systematic murder of the Uyghur people. The United States cannot sit idly by as innocent families are torn apart, identities are erased, and generations silenced by these atrocious acts of genocide. My Uyghur Policy Act sends a clear message that America will not tolerate egregious human rights violations perpetrated by the CCP—not on our soil, not anywhere.”
Rep. Ami Bera added, “I am pleased to see the Uyghur Policy Act pass by a strong bipartisan majority in the House. This bill takes crucial steps to bolster American efforts to safeguard the distinct ethnic, religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of the Uyghur people and promote respect for human rights and religious freedom in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The United States Congress must remain vigilant in our efforts to uphold human rights at home and abroad.”
Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director of the Campaign for Uyghurs and Chairwoman of the Executive Committee of the World Uyghur Congress said, “This legislation is a vital step to ensure America stands firmly with the Uyghur people amid China’s ongoing genocide. By making Uyghur human rights a clear priority in U.S. foreign policy, this bill strengthens accountability for the Chinese government’s crimes and delivers a powerful message of solidarity to millions of Uyghur families suffering under repression. It does so by pressing to close the camps, protect Uyghur cultural identity, and confront the growing issue of transnational repression. I strongly support its passage and am deeply grateful to Representative Young Kim and all members of Congress who continue to champion this cause.”
The proposed act would coordinate U.S. efforts through designating oversight responsibilities within the State Department for policies related to preserving various aspects of Uyghur identity; empower advocates working on behalf of persecuted minorities; increase accountability regarding crackdowns against Uyghurs including developing strategies aimed at closing detention facilities; address transnational repression; and create reporting mechanisms for victims.
Young Kim has represented California’s 40th district in Congress since 2021 after previously serving in California’s State Assembly from 2014–2016 https://kim.house.gov/about/. She was born in Incheon, South Korea in 1962 before moving to La Habra https://www.ocregister.com/2022/10/21/election-2022-young-kim-and-asif-mahmud-face-off-in-orange-countys-redrawn-40th-congressional-district/. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from University of Southern California in 1985.
The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in the House and will now proceed to consideration in the Senate.
