COMMENT | How Malaysia can help end crimes against Uyghurs

COMMENT | In September 2018, when the world was beginning to grasp the horrific extent of China’s network of concentration camps in the Uyghur homeland, one leading politician from a Muslim-majority country spoke out.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told Bloomberg the reason why governments in Muslim-majority states have not spoken out about the Uyghur issue is that “they’re scared. Nobody wants to say anything”.

Uyghurs are deeply appreciative of the support Malaysians from the government, Parliament, and civil society have shown towards Uyghurs during the darkest period of our history.

We believe Malaysia can do more and further demonstrate its leadership in ending the Uyghur nightmare.

Since Anwar’s statement in 2018, the world has further learned about China’s plans for the Uyghurs, which the United Nations has determined “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.”

In addition to mass arbitrary detention and imprisonment, China is engaging in a systematic campaign to eradicate Uyghur culture, religion, and language through policy and practice.

Other abuses include...