The “Uyghur Policy Act” has been unanimously approved by the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, marking a significant bipartisan move to address China’s ongoing genocide and human rights abuses against the Uyghur people.
Introduced on April 10, 2025, the bill received full support from both Republican and Democratic members of the committee. It calls on the U.S. Department of State to coordinate policies, programs, and support efforts related to the Uyghurs and East Turkistan. The bill also urges the Department to work closely with the foreign ministries of European, Central Asian, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to promote respect for the human rights and religious freedoms of Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in the region.
STRONG BIPARTISAN BACKING
The bill was jointly introduced by Representatives Young Kim, Ami Bera, Gregory Meeks, and five others. Its unanimous passage in committee—despite heightened tensions between the two major parties—demonstrates the enduring bipartisan consensus on the Uyghur issue.
Following the vote, Rep. Young Kim said:
“The Uyghur Policy Act empowers the U.S. government to help protect the human rights and cultural identity of those facing crimes against humanity. I’m grateful for the committee’s support and will continue to stand against the Chinese Communist Party’s oppression and fight for freedom and human rights around the world.”
“A MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR THE UYGHUR PEOPLE”
Uyghur advocacy organizations in the United States celebrated the committee’s decision.
Omer Kanat, Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, stated:
“This bill, championed by Rep. Young Kim, is a powerful source of hope for the Uyghur people. Our community is enduring unimaginable suffering under a systematic campaign of genocide.”
Rushan Abbas, founder and Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs, emphasized the bill’s broader significance:
“This is not just a strategic necessity for Uyghurs—it’s also a test of whether the international community truly stands by the values it claims to uphold.”
Elfidar Iltebir, President of the Uyghur American Association, added:
“We see these bills as vital steps in confronting the Chinese government’s genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples, and in addressing its widespread human rights violations.”
The bill highlights the Uyghurs’ long-standing religious and cultural heritage and reaffirms their right to self-determination under international human rights covenants. It also references official statements from two former U.S. Secretaries of State recognizing China’s actions in East Turkistan as genocide and crimes against humanity.
CONCRETE ACTIONS AND GLOBAL ADVOCACY
The bill urges the State Department to support independent media outlets like Radio Free Asia in reporting on East Turkistan and to push for the appointment of an independent U.N. rapporteur to monitor human rights abuses in the region. It also calls for a clear strategy to pressure China to close all so-called “re-education” camps in East Turkistan.
Moreover, the bill stresses the importance of consulting Congress in developing Uyghur-related policies, coordinating support funds for Uyghur human rights defenders, and using engagement with the OIC to draw global attention to the abuses—especially the detention, harassment, and targeting of individuals by the Chinese state.
The Uyghur Policy Act had previously been introduced in 2022 and 2024, garnering strong support both times. Uyghur activists are now calling on the full House of Representatives to pass the bill swiftly, emphasizing the need for urgent and meaningful action in the face of ongoing atrocities.
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