Uighurs of Xinjiang
#GS-02 International Relations
For Prelims:
About Uyghurs
- The Uyghurs alternatively spelled Uighurs, Uygurs or Uigurs, are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia.
- The Uyghurs have traditionally inhabited a series of oases scattered across the Taklamakan Desert within the Tarim Basin.
- The Uyghurs are recognized as native to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Northwest China.
- They are one of China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities.
For Mains:
Why Uyghurs are in News?
- India has abstained from UNHRC vote on Uighur Muslims brought by the US, Britain and Canada.
- The motion failed to pass since it only was able to gain 17 votes in favor and 19 against while 11 countries abstained from voting.
- India said that it is sticking to its policy of not voting against any country in institutions like the UNHRC.
Why was the motion brought?
- Human rights groups believe China has detained more than one million Uyghurs against their will over the past few years in a large network of what the state calls “re-education camps”, and sentenced hundreds of thousands to prison terms.
- The leading human rights groups Amnesty and Human Rights Watch have published reports accusing China of crimes against humanity.
