Justice for All Canada Statement: In Commemoration of Ürümqi Riots of 2009

July 5th, 2023

Justice For All Canada, a human rights and advocacy organization, solemnly marks the 14th anniversary of the Ürümqi riots on July 5th, 2023.

We stand in solidarity with the thousands of Uyghur protesters in Ürümqi, East Turkistan, who took to the streets on this day to peacefully express their grievances against the Chinese government's repressive policies. Credible sources, including Amnesty International and the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), have revealed the Chinese security forces' excessive use of force and live ammunition against Uyghur protesters during that time.

However, protester calls for equality, human rights and freedom were met with a brutal and disproportionate response by Chinese security forces, resulting in the loss of countless lives, forced disappearances, injuries, and enduring trauma for Uyghur Muslims today.

"The Ürümqi massacre marked a tragic turning point in the Chinese government's policies towards the Uyghur people. The international community's failure to act swiftly and hold China accountable has allowed the situation to deteriorate, leading to the current genocide and human rights crisis,” said Taha Ghayyur, Executive Director of Justice For All Canada.

Since the senseless violence against Uyghurs during the 2009 Ürümqi riots, repressive policies imposed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have transformed from systemic repression and discrimination to total assimilation and demographic genocide of the Uyghur population.

The impact of this atrocity continues to haunt the Uyghur community. According to countless testimonials, Uyghur families still yearn for information about their loved ones who were killed or disappeared into Chinese custody. Witness testimonies have documented enforced disappearances, with young Uyghur men targeted and arbitrarily detained. The Chinese government's failure to be held accountable for these heinous acts has allowed them to continue perpetrating gross human rights violations with impunity.

Canada's recent parliamentary Motion 62 (M-62), sponsored by MP Sameer Zuberi, recognized the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs. M-62 demonstrated a critical step towards acknowledging the gravity of the situation, particularly for Uyghurs seeking asylum or fleeing Chinese authorities. However, Justice For All Canada remains committed to seeking expedited asylum entrance for this persecuted population, including increasing the current 10,000 refugee capacity number, while amplifying the voices of oppressed Uyghurs.