Several lawmakers from the ruling party – the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) – are calling on the public to support freedom and human rights in Xinjiang. The autonomous territory in northwest China is home to various ethnic minorities. The majority – about 12 million people – are Uyghurs, who are mostly Muslim.
On Monday, DPP lawmakers held signs that said “Oppose Persecution,” “Protect Human Rights” and “Say No to Cotton [made with forced labor].” Their calls are part of an international response to human rights abuses and forced labor in Xinjiang.
The United States, Canada and the European Union have all imposed sanctions on Beijing. Several global brands, like H&M, Nike and Adidas, have also showed their support by refusing to use cotton grown in Xinjiang.
DPP lawmaker Lo Chih-cheng urged the international community to pay attention to human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Lo says the public should take concrete actions to support freedom, democracy and human rights.
Lo has also accused China of pressuring Western countries by imposing sanctions of their own on ten people and four organizations in Europe.