WUC Urges German President to Challenge China on Uyghur Rights
The World Uyghur Congress calls on President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to challenge China's human rights record and forced labour during his state visit.
As German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier conducts a high-profile state visit to China from October 27 to 31, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has issued an urgent plea for the leader to confront Chinese President Xi Jinping over systemic human rights violations. The organization is pushing Germany to take a firm stand against state-imposed forced labour, transnational repression, and a controversial new piece of legislation.
Demands for Direct Action
The WUC has called on President Steinmeier to ensure that Germany's economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing do not overshadow the plight of the Uyghur community. The organization specifically urged the President to demand several critical actions from the Chinese government:
- The immediate closure of any remaining internment camps.
- The release of all Uyghurs who have been arbitrarily detained.
- A complete end to state-imposed forced labour and the practice of transnational repression.
- The full repeal of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress.
The Controversy Over the 'Ethnic Unity' Law
A central point of contention is China’s Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress, which came into effect on July 1, 2026. The WUC describes this law as a tool to institutionalize forced assimilation and erase Uyghur identity. This sentiment is echoed by international bodies; in June, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that the law could severely limit freedoms regarding religion, language, education, and assembly, calling for its repeal.
Particular alarm has been raised over Article 63 of this law. According to the WUC, this provision allows Chinese law to be applied to individuals and organizations outside of China if they are accused of undermining "ethnic unity." The organization warns that this creates a legal pretext for China to target and repress Uyghur communities living abroad, including those residing in Germany.
Global Supply Chains and Human Rights
The WUC highlighted that the impact of these policies extends far beyond China's borders. There are ongoing concerns regarding the integration of Uyghur forced labour into global supply chains, which potentially links German businesses to these human rights abuses.
"The Uyghur genocide is not confined to East Turkistan. Its consequences extend beyond China’s borders, from forced labour in international supply chains to the intimidation of Uyghurs living abroad," stated WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun.
International Pressure and UN Warnings
The timing of the visit coincides with renewed warnings from United Nations human rights experts. In January 2026, experts expressed grave concerns over reports of forced labour affecting not only Uyghurs but also Tibetans and other ethnic minorities, suggesting these practices could amount to crimes against humanity.
The European Parliament also stepped in on April 30, 2026, adopting a resolution that called for the repeal of the Ethnic Unity Law. Furthermore, Germany itself had expressed concern during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026, noting that the law reinforced restrictions on cultural and religious freedoms in Tibet and East Turkistan.
The WUC is now urging President Steinmeier to follow through on these official government concerns and press Beijing to grant independent UN experts unrestricted access to East Turkistan and its detention facilities to investigate these allegations thoroughly.