Uyghur Policy Act of 2023

Uyghur Policy Act of 2023

This bill addresses human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and other minority groups residing primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China.

The bill authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues position within the Department of State.

The State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may, subject to appropriations, make certain funds available to human rights advocates working on behalf of Uyghurs and members of other persecuted minority groups from the XUAR. The funds, if made available, shall be used to facilitate the presence of such human rights advocates at public diplomacy forums to speak on issues related to the human rights and religious freedoms of persecuted minority groups in China.

The State Department must ensure that Uyghur language training is available to Foreign Service officers. It must also ensure that a Uyghur-speaking member of the Foreign Service is assigned to U.S. diplomatic and consular posts in China.

Bill 118 hr 2766, also known as the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the human rights abuses faced by the Uyghur Muslim minority in China. The bill seeks to hold the Chinese government accountable for its treatment of the Uyghur population, including reports of mass detention camps, forced labor, and cultural suppression.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 includes provisions for the US government to take action against Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations against the Uyghurs. This may include imposing sanctions, travel restrictions, and asset freezes on individuals found to be complicit in these abuses.

Additionally, the bill calls for increased support for Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers, as well as measures to promote religious freedom and cultural preservation for the Uyghur community. It also urges the US government to work with international partners to address the human rights situation in Xinjiang, where many Uyghurs reside. Overall, the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023 aims to bring attention to the plight of the Uyghur people and to hold the Chinese government accountable for its actions. It represents a bipartisan effort to address human rights abuses and promote justice for the Uyghur community.