The Uyghur Crisis

Anna Milovancevic - A01764992Chiara Terol - A01784527Camila Vázquez Pineda - A01276667 Célia Cesari - A01764908 Andrea Magallon Cardenas - A01638879

📷 Video

📍 Cultural Relativism

ℹ️ Current Debates

Sources

📍Human Rights

Sources

Al Jazeera English. (2021, february 28). What’s happening with China’s Uighurs? | Start Here [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9aLNxcokOE BBC News. (2022, may 24). Who are the Uyghurs and why is China being accused of genocide? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-22278037 Harvard University. (2019, april 20). MIT-Harvard Conference on the Uyghur Human Rights Crisis - Watch the video. https://iaas.fas.harvard.edu/news/mit-harvard-conference-uyghur-human-rights-crisis Porter, G. & Blumenthal M. (2021, february 18). US State Department accusation of China ‘genocide’ relied on data abuse and baseless claims by far-right ideologue. The Grayzone. https://thegrayzone.com/2021/02/18/us-media-reports-chinese-genocide-relied-on-fraudulent-far-right-researcher/ United Nations. (1948). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights University of Minnesota. (1990). Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam. Human Rights Library. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/instree/cairodeclaration.html WorldDenver Videos. (2021, may 20). The Uyghur Crisis Explained [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VWUiuvhsLI

Human rights are meant to be universal, as they are not exclusive to a single nation or community. Their recognition is based on fundamental principles of human dignity, shaped throughout history in response to numerous acts of violence, oppression, and discrimination. However, this universality is challenged by some actors who see it as a Western construct that does not sufficiently take into account the cultural and historical specificities of non-Western societies.One of the major debates regarding the nature of human rights concerns their link to Western dominance in international relations. The West, having historically played a central role in the development of these rights, is often accused of using them as a tool of power and interference. Some states denounce a double standard in their application: while human rights violations in non-Western countries are regularly condemned and sanctioned, those committed by Western powers or their allies are less frequently called out, fostering a sense of injustice and hypocrisy. This critique aligns with the idea that the very definition of human rights reflects a Eurocentric perspective, shaped by Western values and conceptions of the individual and society. Postcolonial thinkers argue that this approach does not always consider the traditions and social models of other civilizations, which can create tensions between universality and respect for cultural diversity. Nevertheless, despite these criticisms, human rights remain a crucial reference point for the protection of individuals on a global scale. They provide a moral and legal framework to denounce abuses and encourage the improvement of living conditions, even though their implementation should be reconsidered to better incorporate diverse cultural and historical realities.

Universal Human Rights Uyghyr Crisis

The Uyghur crisis is a clear example of violations of universal human rights, since according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations, every person has the right to freedom, security, and protection from discrimination. In that way the cultural repression, arbitrary detentions, and torture faced by the Uyghurs in Xinjiang are clear violations of these fundamental rights; on a global level, the international community has condemned these actions, emphasizing that no group or government should subject its population to such abuses based on ethnicity, religion, or cultural beliefs. Additionally, it is important to highlight that the concept of universal human rights calls for accountability, especially when governments act against their own citizens. The protection of basic rights such as the freedom to practice religion, the right to not be discriminated against, and the right to live without fear of torture or arbitrary detention is fundamental. In this case, the international community has the responsibility to hold China accountable for these violations and to support the Uyghur population in their struggle for justice and recognition of their rights. Universal human rights must be a standard that transcends borders and cultural differences, ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.

Culture Relativism stance Uyghur Crisis

The Uyghur crisis involves allegations of human rights abuses by the Chinese government against the Uyghur population in Xinjiang (East Turkestan). Cultural relativism becomes relevant when considering justifications for these actions.The central issue is whether cultural differences or the specific context of Xinjiang can justify actions that would otherwise be considered human rights violations under international law. The Chinese government might argue that its policies in Xinjiang are culturally appropriate and necessary for maintaining social stability and combating extremism. This perspective could be framed as respecting local cultural norms and values over universal human rights standards. It could be argued that the “re-education” camps are tailored to the specific cultural and historical context of Xinjiang and represent an effective way to address extremism and promote economic development (as government claims).