International pressure is mounting on China over human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet

The situation in Xinjiang and Tibet is seen as a humanitarian crisis, and human rights activists have stressed the need for support for independent investigations into human rights violations.

UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council, have repeatedly raised concerns and urged China to allow independent observers into Xinjiang to investigate allegations of human rights violations.

Governments and parliaments of various countries, including Canada and the United States, have issued statements and passed resolutions condemning China's actions in Xinjiang and Tibet.

These actions underscore international concern and solidarity with the affected communities. In 2009, the Canadian Parliament also passed a non-binding motion declaring China’s actions against the Uighurs in Xinjiang to be genocide.

Recently, in an unprecedented decision, the World Civil Court (CCW) ruled against China for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang (East Turkistan) and Tibet.

The tribunal, held in The Hague, Netherlands, from July 8 to 12, marked a watershed moment in international justice, as it considered allegations of systematic atrocities committed by Beijing.

Speaking on behalf of the Uyghur and Tibetan communities, representatives of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) welcomed the tribunal’s decision and called it an important step towards accountability.

Outlining the historical perspective of East Turkistan, ETGE said the region has long aspired to independence, and is now falling victim to Beijing’s relentless campaign to suppress dissent and assimilate the region into a unified Chinese nation.

“The judge emphasized that international law recognizes the right to self-determination. He concluded that China has systematically planned and committed genocide and crimes against humanity targeting Uighurs and other Turkic peoples, and that Chinese dictator Xi Jinping is directly responsible for these crimes,” ETGE reported on X. The judge further highlighted that the ongoing Uighur genocide is “a sustained and violent attack aimed at the total destruction of the Uighur community.”

During the hearing, harrowing testimony from survivors and experts painted a dismal picture of life in Xinjiang, where reports of mass internment camps, forced labor and forced assimilation have drawn global condemnation.

Similar accusations have been leveled against China’s policies in Tibet, where Tibetan culture and autonomy have long been targets of Chinese state control.

The findings of such tribunals can have important moral and political significance, and can influence public opinion, international diplomacy and demands for accountability.

Although the CCW may not have the enforcement power of a national court or international judicial body, its decisions can contribute to the broader discussion on human rights and encourage further action by other institutions, including governments and international organizations.