The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has called on Finnish leaders to take a strong stand against the genocide of Uyghurs during their upcoming visit to China from October 28 to 31. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 29 to discuss various bilateral issues.
The WUC, representing exiled Uyghur groups, emphasized the importance of addressing human rights concerns, urging Finnish officials to raise the issue of ongoing abuses with Chinese authorities. They expressed concern that business discussions should not continue as usual given the serious situation facing the Uyghurs.
Earlier in May, Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green) voiced his worries about China’s treatment of its Uyghur population to Yle, stating, “There are issues that we are very concerned about.” He also noted that the matter has been discussed in the UN Human Rights Council and mentioned the anticipation of a report from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, who visited China to investigate these issues.
The WUC also highlighted the need to prioritize discussions about Uyghur forced labor, especially with the European Union’s new regulations aimed at preventing forced labor. While acknowledging Finland’s strong historical ties with China, the WUC urged Finland to maintain its commitment to human rights and advocate for Uyghur rights despite potential economic pressures.
Source: ANI
