R2P Dispatch June 2021 - Canadian Centre for the Responsibility ...
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R2P Dispatch
June 2021
Authors/Auteurs:
Fernanda Bernardo, Rebeca Ancer, Angela Liu, Georgia Sayers, Grace
Vollers, Leena Badri, Lougein Metwally, Paranjay Sahanii, Samantha
Quadros, Sumayyah Shah, Saarah Khan, Sarah Weiner, Victoria Liu, Keah
Sharma, Francisca Carvalho, Anna Ivanova, Chris Han, Leo Viscomi,
Andrea Sanchez
June 2021
Table of Contents
Arabic Division 2
Yemen
Chinese Division 12
Tibet
English Division 24
Xinjiang
French Division 39
Latin America
Russian Division 56
Myanmar
Spanish Division 70
Indigenous Rights
Bibliography 89
Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in articles are solely those of the authors and
do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to
Protect.
Dégagement de responsabilités: les opinions exprimées dans les articles suivants sont celles
des auteurs. Elles ne sont pas représentatives des opinions du Canadian Centre for the
Responsibility to Protect.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 1
June 2021
Yemen
Highlights:
A Yemeni man sprays water on his wife’s grave who died after she contracted Covid-19. Hospitals in Sanaa
refused to hospitalize her due to fears that the virus would spread throughout their hospitals. © Getty Images.
1. “ اتهامات للحوثيين بـتقويض جهود توفير اللقاحات في المناطق الخاضعة لسيطرتهم" شمالي:فيروس كورونا
اليمن,” (“Coronavirus: Houthis have been accused of undermining vaccination
efforts in Yemeni areas under their control”). BBC Arabic.
With Coronavirus vaccines becoming increasingly accessible, many governments
have sought them out with the purpose of immunizing their populations. Despite this fact,
some human rights activists are now accusing Houthis of undermining efforts to vaccinate the
Yemeni population. According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Houthis have failed to
cooperate with the World Health Organization and the Yemeni government to vaccinate
Yemeni citizens in Houthi-controlled territories. Furthermore, HRW has also claimed that the
Houthis misled the public about the threat of the coronavirus and spread large amounts of
misinformation on the topic. The Houthis' attempts to completely ignore the existence of the
Coronavirus pandemic has ultimately put many lives at risk.
In recent years, the Yemeni crisis has become considered the world’s worst
humanitarian crisis. As such, Covid-19 vaccines are essential for the Yemeni people as the
pandemic has likely exacerbated an already dire situation. It is unclear why the Houthis have
chosen to withhold vaccines from citizens living in Houthi-controlled territories. However,
this act could be interpreted as a crime against humanity if the Houthis withheld Covid-19
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 2
June 2021
vaccines to purposefully cause widespread suffering to the Yemeni population. 1 Still,
regardless of whether this act may be considered a crime against humanity or not, it has
potentially cost many Yemeni lives and seriously harmed these populations.
Marib in the aftermath of a fuel station bombing. ©AFP via Getty Images.
2. “سفارة أمريكا في اليمن تعلق على تقارير ضرب الحوثي محطة وقود بصاروخ باليستي في مأرب,” (“The
U.S. embassy in Yemen commented on the Houthi bombing of a fuel station in
Marib with ballistic missiles.”). CNN Arabic.
As part of the war occurring over the Yemeni city of Marib, the Houthis bombed a
Maribi fuel station using ballistic missiles. This attack was conducted with a lack of concern
for the lives of the civilians working within this fuel station, many of whom died.
Additionally, when ambulances began to arrive at the scene, the Houthis used a drone to
attack the ambulance crew; thus, leading to more civilian casualties. These attacks ultimately
led to the death of twenty-one individuals, two of whom were children.
It appears as though the Houthis of Yemen have a pattern of targeting civilians during
military attacks. This is particularly concerning as the Houthis have control over a significant
portion of Yemeni territory and thus hold a lot of power and influence within the country. If
proven to have purposefully conducted widespread attacks against civilian populations, the
Houthis will have committed a crime against humanity under international law.2 Under the
Responsibility to Protect (R2P) principle, the international system can respond to these
1
International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect RtoP Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. (New
York: International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect, n.d.), 16.
2
International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect RtoP Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. (New
York: International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect, n.d.), 16.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 3
June 2021
crimes with military action or other coercive measures.3 Ultimately, this attack in Marib
represents only one of many military attacks in Yemen that have seriously put the lives of
civilians at risk.
3. “ الحوثيون يتحملون مسؤولية كبيرة عن األزمة المستمرة في اليمن:الخارجية األمريكية,” (“U.S. State
Department: The Houthis bear much of the responsibility for the continuation of
the Yemeni crisis”). CNN Arabic.
According to a report by CNN, the U.S. has taken a strong stance against the Houthis
in Yemen and blamed them for much of the continuing violence in the country. Although the
U.S. ambassador recognized that there are many problematic parties working within Yemen,
he asserted that work towards a ceasefire has largely been stalled by the Houthis. Instead of
working along with other parties towards a ceasefire, the Houthis have continued to attack
Marib and have consequently isolated themselves internationally. Ultimately, this report
highlights that work towards any ceasefire in Yemen remains difficult as many political
groups in the country are unwilling to cooperate.
3
International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect RtoP Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. (New
York: International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect, n.d.), 16.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 4
June 2021
The Transitional Council’s security forces patrolling the city of Aden. ©Reuters.
4. “االتحاد الدولي للصحفيين يدين اقتحام مسلحي المجلس االنتقالي مقا ّر إعالمية في عدن,” (“The
International Federation of Journalists condemned the Transitional Council’s
armed storming of the media headquarters in Aden”). Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera’s news report alleges that a secessionist political organization called the
Transitional Council has conducted an armed storming of media headquarters in the city of
Aden. Through the storming of media headquarters and other media buildings in Aden, the
Transitional Council has essentially seized control of the largest media organizations in the
city. The International Federation of Journalists has condemned these actions and urged the
Transitional Council to leave the media out of military conflict. Furthermore, these actions
represent a serious threat to freedom of speech in Yemen and have also put many civilians in
danger. Thus, the Transitional council should be condemned internationally for their actions.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 5
June 2021
From previous clashes in Marib between government forces and Houthi militias. ©Reuters.
5. “الحكومة اليمنية تدعو المجتمع الدولي التخاذ موقف من هجمات الحوثيين,” (“The Yemeni
government urged the international community to take a stance against Houthi
attacks.”). Al Jazeera.
The Yemeni government has urged the international community to take a strong
stance against the Houthis. According to the Yemeni Minister of Information, the Houthis
should internationally be classified as a terrorist group that has committed crimes against
humanity against the Yemeni people. As evidence, the Minister listed the many times that the
Houthis used ballistic missiles and aerial bombing in Marib to target civilians. Moreover, the
Yemeni government claims that the Houthis have specifically used ballistic missiles and
aerial bombing as part of their war strategy to maximize civilian casualties in Marib.
Diplomatic efforts to end the war have intensified in recent months, yet the Houthis continue
to attack Marib and the Yemeni people continue to experience the worst humanitarian crisis
globally.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 6
June 2021
The aftermath in Ma’rib. ©Getty Images.
6. في قصف للحوثيين على مدينة مأرب27 وجرح
ُ 8 مقتل:وسائل إعالم يمنية, “Eight Killed and 27
Wounded in Houthi Shelling on the City of Ma'rib”). CNN Arabic.
The article from CNN describes the recent shelling on the city of Ma’arib which has
resulted in the casualty of twenty-seven civilians, and the death of eight. The city of Ma’arib
has been subject to excessive bombardment between the Yemeni military and the Houthi
insurgency. Yemeni media sources went on to detail how a mosque and residential
neighborhood were also targeted during the shellings. The article states that members of the
medical staff were also among the targets, and that more than four ambulances were
destroyed as a result. Healthcare workers have stated that they expect the number of
casualties and deaths to rise in the coming days.
Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi released a statement, in which he stated
that the frequent bombing of Ma’arib continues to harm innocent lives and destroy the state’s
infrastructure and social fabric. He emphasized that such action will not establish real peace
between the warring parties. This attack comes after a similar bombing which targeted a fuel
station earlier in the week. The death toll for that attack was calculated to be 21. Attacks in
Ma’arib have now become rather frequent, and as a result, only more civilian deaths can be
expected. Not only are the bombings resulting in significant deaths, but they are also harming
the little infrastructure that Yemen has. Hospitals and fuel stations are critical to the
infrastructure of a state, and their destruction directly impacts the livelihoods of innocent
civilians. In the context of international law, the targeted bombing of Ma’arib and innocent
civilians is a war crime. The rising number of civilian casualties is a frightening situation
which invokes R2P and requires immediate international intervention, in order to prevent
further damage to both civilians and critical infrastructure.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 7
June 2021
Two medical workers care for a patient with coronavirus in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Sanaa, Yemen
on June 14, 2020. © 2020 Hani Muhammad/The Associated Press
7. “ الحوثيون يخاطرون بصحة المدنيين بوجه "كورونا:"اليمن,” (“Yemen: The Houthis are
risking the health of civilians in the face of Corona”). Human Rights Watch.
This report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) details the extent of the deliberate
mismanagement of the Coronavirus pandemic in Yemen, and the risks it poses to civilians.
According to the report, Houthi authorities are withholding information about the risks and
impacts of the virus, while simultaneously hindering international efforts aimed at
distributing vaccines in areas under Houthi control. According to a statement by the United
Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, after the start of
the second wave in March, the number of cases in Yemen doubled but no vaccines reached
areas under Houthi control.
Under the Global Access to COVID-19 program, Yemen is meant to receive 14
million doses. The national plan stated that Houthi authorities will receive a portion of these
vaccines for distribution in their controlled areas. However, a healthcare worker who is
familiar with the medical situation in Yemen, has stated that the Houthis have refused to
cooperate with the World Health Organization and that the Yemeni government has also
failed to uphold their promise and deliver vaccines to northern areas. HRW explains that the
Houthi groups demand to be able to administer the vaccines independently, a demand that has
been denied by the WHO, who state that they need to ensure that the vaccines are properly
distributed. Furthermore, various Houthi officials have spread misinformation about the
virus, going as far as calling it a ‘conspiracy.’ Healthcare workers have reported that Houthi
authorities have even launched special intelligence units in medical centres, aimed at
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 8
June 2021
intimidating healthcare workers and preventing them from delivering accurate information
pertaining to the pandemic.
All of this is exacerbated by Yemen’s broken healthcare system, which has been
unable to survive six years of war and mismanagement. The report details how healthcare
workers are facing a shortage of personal protective equipment even months into the
pandemic, and how imported medical materials and medicines have become unaffordable.
One witness describes that hospitals sometimes receive expired medicines, and that any
logistical material required takes a long time to reach intended areas. HRW details how
Houthi officials have failed to impose any public health restrictions, due to their denial of the
severity of the virus and their deliberate mismanagement of vaccines. The Houthis inability to
provide accurate information to their citizens, coupled with their refusal to launch a
wide-spread vaccination campaign despite having access to doses, is a clear violation of
human rights. The situation invokes R2P due to the serious medical harm posed to citizens,
and a deliberate suppression of information.4
8. “ حشود ضخمة لمواقع األلغام على الجبهات..الحوثي واألطفال,” (“The Houthis and
Children… Huge Crowds for Mine Sites on the Front”). Al-Arabiya.
This article from Al-Arabiya details how Houthi militia in Yemen have begun to
recruit children for dangerous and life-threatening activity such as clearing conflict areas of
mines and explosive devices. The article explains how various media outlets have reported
that armed Houthi rebels arrived in several governorates in northern Yemen, and that their
regiments contained a significant number of school children. According to Al-Arabiya’s
sources, these children would be assembled in “centres' ' that are under the supervision of the
de facto ruler of Sana’a, Hassan Erlu. Furthermore, the main purpose of the recruitment of
these school children is to use them to clear areas filled with mines and explosive devices in
western and northwestern Ma’rib, where the location of the devices has become unknown
after those who had originally placed them died during fighting.
The militias had recently launched this recruitment program with the support of
Hassan Erlu and have reportedly lured and recruited more than 500,000 school children and
placed them in these centres. Detailed information about the centres and their function is
relatively unknown, but what remains clear is that thousands of children are being exploited
by militias who maintain the support of government officials. Yemeni activists have been
pertinent to bring awareness to the issue via social media, however, greater action is needed.
The recruitment of children for war-related activity is a crime against humanity which falls
under the scope of enslavement and torture. The gravity of the situation invokes R2P due to
the serious physical and mental harm posed to the vulnerable children, and the state’s
inability to mobilize to protect the rights of children.5
4
International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect RtoP Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. (New
York: International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect, n.d.), 16.
5
International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect RtoP Toolkit on the Responsibility to Protect. (New
York: International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect, n.d.), 16.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 9June 2021
Karima, 7, watches her mother Hayat make bread. WFP/Annabel Symington.
9. “ واألمهات في2021 نصف األطفال دون سن الخامسة معرضون لخطر سوء التغذية في عام:اليمن
هاجس مستمر بشأن توفير الطعام,” (“Yemen: Half of children under five are at risk of
malnutrition struggle to secure food”). United Nations News.
This article from the United Nations News details how more than half of Yemenis,
which is 16.2 million people, are food insecure and at risk of suffering from malnutrition. The
report also states that about 50,000 people are already suffering from ‘famine-like’
conditions. The report interviews a young mother who is suffering from extreme food
security, as she is unable to provide adequate nutrition for herself and her daughters following
the destruction of their home and the death of their father. The mother receives assistance
from the World Food Program, however, she explains that without a steady source of income,
she is often forced to exchange food for other necessary commodities.6
The World Health Organization states that many Yemenis are at risk of extreme
starvation, and that such a condition is life-threatening and leaves the body vulnerable to
infectious diseases. Malnutrition also leads to impaired physical and cognitive development,
making it especially dangerous for kids. The article continues to detail how many Yemeni
families have resorted to selling all their valuables in order to gain access to food, as they
struggle to keep up with the consistently rising food prices. As the conflict continues, more
people will become displaced, and vulnerable to food insecurity. The article concludes by
noting that the World Food Program encourages world leaders to develop a common agenda
to prevent Yemen from sliding into famine. In a similar vein, the food crisis in Yemen also
invokes R2P, as it’s damaging physical effects severely threaten the lives of millions. The
inability of Yemeni authorities to ensure access to food, means that international intervention
is required to prevent the continuous suffering of displaced and impoverished Yemenis.
6
“Yemen: Half of children under five are at risk of malnutrition in 2021,” UN News Arabic, accessed June 16th,
2021, https://news.un.org/ar/story/2021/06/1078052
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 10June 2021
Further reading:
1. “Yemen Crisis: Why is there a war?” BBC News. June 19, 2020. (English)
2. “Yemen, June 2021 Monthly Forecast” Security Council Report. May 29, 2021.
(English)
3. “HRW World Report 2021: Yemen” Human Rights Watch. 2021. (English)
4. “Why is Yemen at war? | Conflict” Al Jazeera. Nov 19, 2019. (English)
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 11June 2021
Tibet
Highlights:
Propaganda in Chinese media. ©Tibet center for human rights.
1. “西藏年度人权报告,” (“Tibet Centre for Human Rights Annual Report 2020”).
Tibet Center for Human Rights.
Since Xi Jingping became the president, the human rights violations and political
repressions in Tibet rose to the level of crimes against humanity. The PRC has used
“development policies” as a guise to gain greater political and economic advantages, rather
than genuine interests to improve Tibetans’ living quality. The “stability maintenance policy”
escalated the state's surveillance throughout Tibet through technology, propaganda, and
repressions. This policy’s budget in 2019 was 1.39 trillion Yuan, which was 16.8% higher
than the country’s official military expenditure. The government’s development projects also
offered lucrative profits to Han officials and exploited the local population. Moreover, there
has been a major crackdown in destroying Tibetans’ political and cultural identity. Bilingual
education is enforced in the region, which undermines Tibetan’s education system. The goal
is to indoctrinate and assimilate the people. Furthermore, communities’ freedom of
expressions have been severely restricted. The PRC has imprisoned 12 Tibetan villagers for
illegitimate religious practice. More significantly, the number of extrajudicial killings, torture,
and arbitrary detentions escalated over the past year. Individuals experience inhuman physical
and psychological torture on a daily basis.
The United Nations, its member states and the civil society at large has requested the
PRC authorities to end abusing human rights under the guise of stability maintenance
policies. Tibetans need to be guaranteed to legislate their own educational and cultural affairs.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 12June 2021
The human rights violations, including arbitrary abuse, detentions, and tortures must be
stopped immediately.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 13June 2021
Armed troops on Tibetan street.. © Human rights watch
2. “中国：藏僧被拘押殴打致死,” (“Tibetan monk beaten to death”). Human Rights
Watch.
The human rights watch concluded that China should be held responsible for a 19
year old monk’s death, after being released from prison. Six other monks that were arrested at
the same time were also released, including a 16 year old boy. The young monk that died,
Tenzin Nyima, was from the Sichuan province. He was arrested for giving out posters that
advocated for Tibet’s independence. Tanzin was later released, but rearrested within three
months. This was due to spreading information about his arrest and connections to India. By
October 2020, Tenzin’s family was informed that their son needed to be taken to a hospital.
He was unable to speak or move and had an acute respiratory infection. These symptoms
were caused by severe beating, malnutrition and torture in prison. Tanzin lost consciousness
at the hospital and died in December.
The PRC’s arbitrary detention and abuse occurs on a daily basis. The government has
initiated an investigation on Tanzin’s case. China has signed on to the United Nations
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 14June 2021
Convention against torture. According to the convention, all detentions that result in death
must be investigated in an efficient and just manner. Additionally, the government that
legitimized the death must be held accountable. Reparations must also be given to the
affected family members. Based on the UN’s human rights investigation, China has failed to
uphold their international responsibilities. The human rights situation has deteriorated since
Xi’s rise to power, particularly in Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Tibet.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 15June 2021
A picture of China’s dictator Xi Jingping ©BBC
3. “习近平新西藏方略,” (“Xin Jinping’s New Tactics Towards Xinjiang”). BBC.
The Chinese Tibet’s development meeting is held every five to 10 years. The
decisions made serve as a guide for future decisions. During the meeting, the main priorities
established were assimilating the Tibetan religion to the Chinese Culture, protecting the
environment and expanding the Communist party’s ideology to Tibet. In 2015, XI’s
government initiated a program for the repression of the Tibetans' religion. China began
cracking down on unregistered community churches. Additionally, Thousands of mosques
were forced to raiseChinese flags, play the Chinese national anthems in areas such as Tibet,
Qinghai, Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan. There are also large political re-education camps
targeted towards Muslims in Xinjiang. The communist government expects Tibet’s mosques
to show absolute allegiance and obedience. If the Tibetan religion is changed to Chinese
Buddhism, Tibet will lose its spiritual power to defend against external powers. In essence,
the instability in Xizang is not due to religion. The real cause is the Communist party’s
repression and failed policies to improve the wellbeing of Tibetans.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 16June 2021
4. “美国无权对西藏人权评头论足——中国西藏文化保护与发展协会就美国通过相关涉
华法案发表声明,” (“The United States Has no Right to Comment on Human Rights in
Tibet - The China Association for the Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture
issued a statement on the passage of a China-related bill by the United States”). Xinhua
Net.
This news article expresses and emphasizes China’s firm and uncompromising stance
in response to the American groundless accusations against the human rights situation in
Tibet, China. The year of 2020 marks the 69th anniversary of Tibet’s peaceful liberation, and
throughout these 69 years, great changes had been made in the cause of human rights
development in Tibet. This region had been freed from imperialism, while democratic
reforms have been implemented to abolish feudal serfdom. By establishing a regional ethnic
autonomy system, Tibet was able to achieve rapid economic growth, as well as increases in
the average life expectancy and population number. Tibet’s culture has also developed and
prospered significantly. The life mode and religious beliefs of all ethnic groups in Tibet are
fully protected and respected, while the traditional culture of Tibet was no longer
monopolized by a few aristocrats and upper classes, but was shared by all ethnic groups,
while bilingual education was implemented by the Chinese government in all universities,
primary and secondary schools in Tibet. In the face of dramatic progresses attained by today’s
Tibet, however, some U.S. politicians are still behaving inappropriately, as President Donald
Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Bill and COVID-19
Outbreak Relief Act on December 27, 2020, which distorted human rights situation in Tibet
while made groundless accusations. The Chinese government firmly opposes such moves by
the United States, declaring their attempt to suppress China on these issues is doomed to fail.
The Chinese government and media firmly maintains their stance that the Tibet issue
is not a human rights issue. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “all
human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and no one shall be held in
slavery or servitude.”7 Before Tibet was liberated and was still under the rule of the Dalai
clique, Tibentans were divided into different classes, while the serf owners, who accounted
for less 5% of overall population, controlled the personal freedom of nearly all serfs. French
Tibetologist Alexander Davy Niel said in Old Tibet Faces New China that “all serfs in old
Tibet completely lost the freedom of human beings.”8 Since the peaceful liberation of Tibet in
1951, its economy has maintained a growth rate of 12% annually, significantly lifting up
people’s living standards. Therefore, there is no reason for western politicians to come up
with groundless accusations. Tan Grenff, a Canadian scholar, points out bluntly, the reason
why some people are so interested in the human rights issue in Tibet is not out of “morality”
or “sympathy”, but “to conform to their global strategic arrangement.”9
7
“The ‘Tibet issue’ is not a human rights issue,” The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of
China, accessed June 18, 2021, http://www.gov.cn/jrzg/2008-04/30/content_959091.htm
8
Ibid.
9
Ibid.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 17June 2021
5. “TCHRD西藏人权报告: 中共持续在严厉打压西藏人权,” (TCHRD Report on
Human Rights in Tibet: the Communist Party Continues to Crack Down Hard
on Human Rights in Tibet”). Voice of Tibet.
The Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy, a human rights organization
based in North Dharamsala, released its annual 2020 report on human rights in Tibet which
revealed Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) suppression of Tibetans' basic human rights and
damage to Tibet's ecological environment. The report details cases when CCP accused
Tibetans of “inciting separatism, undermining ethnic unity, undermining cyber security and
endangering national security,” leading to arbitrary arrests, tortures, and even violent
persecutions of Tibetans. The report points out that the human rights violation phenomenon
has reached the state of “crimes against humanity” under the political leadership of Xi
Jinping, while CCP’s 7th Tibet Work Forum and other policies in Tibet were merely served to
maintain the rule of the party itself, instead of improving the living standard of Tibetan life.
In addition, the report urges the United Nations and its member countries to urge the Chinese
government to stop the genocide and assimilation policies, to grant Tibetans freedom of
speech, freedom of religion and belief, as well as basic human rights. Lastly, the report
recommends the UN sending delegation teams to Tibet and to free all Tibetan political
prisoners there.
At this moment, the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) has not been
implemented in Tibet, yet many countries have been actively calling the UN and human
rights organizations to implement an international mechanism in addressing human rights
violations in Tibet. According to the 2005 World Outcome Document, R2P rests on three
pillars: firstly, each state has primary obligation to prevent genocide, war crimes, crimes
against humanity, and ethnic cleasing; secondly, the international community has a
responsibility to assist states in preventing atrocity cirmes; and thirdly, if a state fails to
prevent and to stop atrocity crimes, the international community may intervene to prevent and
to stop atrocity arimes, including using force as its last resort.10 John Gaudette, a researcher
from Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, argued that because of China’s long
existing manifest failure to prevent the commission of crimes against humanity in Tibet, the
international community should intervene.11
10
“TCHRD participates in conference on Responsibility to Protect,” Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and
Democracy, accessed June 19, 2021,
https://tchrd.org/tchrd-participates-in-conference-on-responsibility-to-protect/
11
Ibid.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 18June 2021
Chinese and foreign experts and scholars said that the achievements in social development and human rights
protection in Tibet are evident to all and commendable. ©China News Agency
6. “西藏和平解放70周年, 中外学者称赞西藏人权保障,” (“On the 70th Anniversary
of the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, Chinese and Foreign Scholars Praised the
Protection of Human Rights in Tibet”). ChinaNews.
On May 26, 2021, an international symposium on the “Progress and Development of
Human Rights in Tibet in 70 Years of Tibet’s Peaceful Liberation” was held in Chongqing,
China. Experts and scholars from China, Russia, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nepal held
the discussion. A researcher in the China Centre for Tibetan Studies, Du Yongbin, said that
Tibet’s progress since the peaceful liberation can be manifested in three aspects: from
tradition to modernity, from isolation to openness, and from management to governance.
Foreign scholars also expressed their recognition of today's human rights development in
Tibet. According to Jogeshwar Lokishmi, a former senior superintendent of Nepal’s police,
Tibet’s social security system centered on “five insurances” and welfare policies have made
great progress since its liberation. Amir Ullah, the director of the National Youth Association
in Islamabad, Pakistan, said that the extreme poverty of the Tibetan people has been almost
completely eradicated. The Chinese central government attaches great importance to Tibet's
autonomy and believes that China's commitment and Tibet's capability will bring Tibet's
development to a higher level in the future.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 19June 2021
School Activity in an Elementary School in Shiqu County in eastern Tibet. © Radio Free Asia
7. “中共透过关闭私立藏文学校，加剧对西藏语言权利的限制,” (“The Chinese
Communist Party Has Intensified Restrictions on Language Rights in Tibet by
Closing Private Tibetan Schools”). Voice of Tibet.
The Chinese Communist Party is closing private Tibetan schools that offer Tibetan
language courses and forcing students to transfer to public schools to learn Chinese. The
Chinese government has claimed that the intensifying restrictions on the Tibetan language
are officially for the purpose of “unifying course materials for examinations”. Language
courses informally organized by monasteries or towns are usually regarded as “illegal
gatherings” by the authorities. In fact, some Tibetan language teachers have been detained
and arrested by the authorities. Additionally, the source added that “families of Tibetan
herders who do not want to send their children to government schools are now forced to do
so.” The source pointed out that parents of local Tibetans are deeply concerned about the
requirements imposed by the authorities. They believe that keeping Tibetan youth away from
Tibetan culture and language will have a serious negative impact on the future.
The CCP’s closure of Tibetan schools in Shiqu County violated its own national laws,
which are to protect the right of ethnic minorities to learn their own language. The authorities
have forcibly closed schools that teach the Tibetan language and the Tibetan culture. This
action clearly shows the authorities' ambition to eliminate the Tibetan national identity.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 20June 2021
8. “美国参议院通过抗中法案，加强关注达赖喇嘛转世权,” (“The U.S. Senate
Passed an Anti-China Bill to Pay More Attention to the Reincarnation of the
Dalai Lama”). Voice of Tibet.
There are frequent protests against the rule of the Chinese Communist Party in Wenbo
Township, Shiqu County, Tibet. Furthermore, anyone with a photo of the Dalai Lama will be
considered serious crimes. On June 8, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill with an
overwhelming 68 to 32 votes, named the The US Innovation and Competition Act of 2021,
also known as the "Endless Frontier Act.” According to the news on the English official
website of the Central Tibetan Administration, the act is passed in response to the
increasingly serious threat from the Chinese Communist Party --- it is not only a large-scale
bill for the United States to counter China's science and technology war, but also lists many
important regulations on Tibet12. The bill stipulates that before the restoration of the consulate
general in Chengdu or the establishment of the consulate in Lhasa, it requires the
establishment of a Tibet department in the political section of the US embassy in China, and
the bill stipulates that at least two American staff members should be directly sent to the
department13. The bill emphasizes that the Secretary of State should work with US allies to
support that only Tibetan religious leaders have the right to decide the next Dalai Lama, deny
the Chinese Communist Party’s claims that they have the right to decide the fifteenth Dalai
Lama, and oppose the authorities’ interference with Tibetan Buddhists. Freedom of religion14.
At the same time, the bill affirms the views of the "Tibet Policy and Support Act of
2020" that the United States should encourage the Secretary of State to contact allies and
support the right of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan religious leader, to reincarnate,
and oppose the intervention of the Chinese Communist authorities in reincarnation15. If the
Chinese Communist Party or any government interferes with the process of the 14th Dalai
Lama's reincarnation, it will be regarded as harming the religious freedom of Tibetan
Buddhists and the Tibetan people. And the bill further calls on the international community to
work hard to protect religious freedom in Tibet.
12
“New US bill to counter China includes Tibet, bolsters global engagement on policy regarding the Dalai
Lama’s reincarnation,” the Central Tibetan Administration, accessed June 20, 2021,
https://tibet.net/new-us-bill-to-counter-china-includes-tibet-bolsters-global-engagement-on-issue-of-the-dalai-la
mas-reincarnation/
13
Ibid.
14
Ibid.
15
Text - H.R.4331 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2019, January 30, 2020.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/4331/text
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 21June 2021
Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy. ©Network
9. “欧盟代表：我们一直在敦促中共改善西藏人权,” (“EU Representative: ‘We have been
Urging the Chinese Communist Party to Improve Human Rights in Tibet”). Voice of
Tibet.
The EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Joseph Borrell,
recently responded to a question submitted to him by members of the European Parliament.
The question mentioned the sufferings of Tibetans in the territory under the rule of the
Communist Party of China, including the inhumanity of Tenzin Nima’s case (a monk at
Wenbo Temple in Shiqu County who was tortured during his detention before he was
persecuted to death by the CCP). Joseph Borrell stated that when the EU and CCP officials
met, EU officials expressed their opposition to the CCP's arbitrary violation of human rights
in Tibet. He stated that the European Union has always opposed any violation of human
rights. Joseph Borrell stated at the UN Human Rights Council in late February 2021 that the
EU urges the CCP to allow independent observers to enter Xinjiang to ensure that the
international community can independently investigate human rights issues in the region. In
addition, he also pointed out that the European Union has repeatedly urged the CCP to
implement international laws and respect the basic human rights of other minorities such as
Tibetans and Uighur Muslims. Borrel specifically stressed that Tibetans should no longer be
deprived of fair trials and that Tibetan human rights defenders should be released from
imprisonment unconditionally.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 22June 2021
Further Reading:
1. “The 70th anniversary of the Communist Party of China's forced Tibetans to
sign the "17-Article Agreement", Tibetans in exile protested everywhere,” Voice
of Tibet. May 24, 2021. (Chinese)
2. “Human Rights in Tibet,” Free Tibet. (English)
3. “New Progress in Human Rights in the Tibet Autonomous Region,” Permanent
Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva
and Other International Organizations in Switzerland. February 1998. (English)
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 23June 2021
Xinjiang
Highlights:
U.N. Rights Officials Criticize China Over Muslim Internments © NY Times
1. “Uyghur exiles describe forced abortion, torture in Xinjiang,”AP News.
The article details the current tribunal proceeding’s in China that is related to the
discrimination against minorities such as the Uyghur’s in Xinjiang region. It details the
testimonies of the Uyghurs that survived the camps in the area, which included forced
abortions and torture. Researchers have confirmed that around one million people are
confined to such re-education camps in Xinjiang, and the impact of these acts can be
demonstrated by the stories of Uyghur exiles such as Bumeryem Rozi. Bumeryem Rozi was
forced by the police to abort her child and she was threatened with bodily harm when she
refused to accept their requests.
Despite these testimonies, the Chinese government has denied these allegations and
tried to change the narrative against these criminal proceedings. They have termed these
camps as avenues for vocational training and attempted to showcase the tribunal as a means
of spreading anti-China propaganda by the West. Additionally, the head lawyer for this
tribunal has confirmed that the government authorities have undertaken sanctions against the
original participants, resulting in certain members leaving the proceedings. Authoritarian
state control against minorities in this case has failed to protect the citizens in China. The
international community should take actions against China under the pillars of the
Responsibility to Protect. The growing stature of China has added a layer of complexity to
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 24June 2021
the issue; however, in accordance with the second and third pillars of R2P, the international
community should fully support the minorities in Xinjiang region.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 25June 2021
The Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Wang Wenbin, says Beijing is ‘deeply concerned by the actions of
Australia and New Zealand. Photograph: Thomas Peter/Reuters. © The Guardian
2. “China accuses Morrison and Ardern of ‘gross interference’ on Xinjiang and
South China Sea,” The Guardian.
Chinese authorities recently responded to comments made by Australia and New
Zealand regarding the genocide in Xinjiang and the South China Sea. The two countries
recently launched a joint statement, which attacked China for its abuses and the limitations on
the freedoms of its citizens. The Chinese government did not react kindly to these allegations
--- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China accused the two
countries of violating international norms. China has since started taking strict trade actions
against Australia, which has negatively impacted other countries from taking more decisive
decisions. Similarly, the New Zealand government has been threatened by the Chinese media
for their joint statement. The lack of support from other western allies has intensified the
potential ramifications of this diplomatic conflict.
This joint statement against the treatment of Uyghurs is in alignment with the pillars
of the Responsibility to Protect as multiple reports have noted the inability of the Chinese
government to protect the minority groups in Xinjiang. The second and third pillar of the
principle demonstrates that the international community should harness its resources to
protect the minorities in China and protect them from genocide and mass killings.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 26June 2021
‘Uyghur Tribunal’ Hears Allegations of Rampant China Abuses © Agence France-Presse
3. “‘Uyghur Tribunal’ opens with testimony of alleged rape, torture,”Aljazeera.
The “Uyghur Tribunal” is a London-based people’s tribunal investigating China’s
persecution of Uighur minorities. Witness testimony has described mass torture, rape, and
other abuses targeted within China’s “re-education” camps. These camps are often defended
by Chinese authorities, who claim they serve as targeted vocational training or learning
camps.16 However, the comments indicate that there were large-scale human rights violations
taking place within their confines. Qelbinur Sidik, an ethnic Uzbek teacher ordered by the
CCP to take language classes within the camp, shared what she had witnessed—students
being forced to wear shackles, female prisoners being raped, women being forced to go
through sterilization.
Organizers hope that the evidence of systematic repression against the Uighur
community will catalyze international actions. At present, nearly one million Uighur have
been placed in the internment camps in Xinjiang. With Chinese authorities ignoring requests
to participate in hearings and dismissing the matter as a “public opinion show,” international
intervention may be a productive move forward. The UK and US have acknowledged
international intervention must begin in order to quell the human rights violations.
16
“Xinjiang: China defends 'education' camps,” BBC News, accessed September 17, 2020.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54195325
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 27June 2021
4. “U.S. Allies Urge China to Allow ‘Unfettered Access’ to Xinjiang, ” Bloomberg.
In this Bloomberg News article, the authors discuss the growing call for transparency
in Xinjiang. The leaders of Australia and New Zealand are urging China to give observers
“unfettered access” to Xinjiang. The two countries cite a strong concern for the human rights
situation in the region for the necessity to increase transparency. Many other countries also
wish for the ability to make meaningful visits through the United Nations to assess the
situation. China views these countries’ move as a systematic move to interfere in its internal
affairs, prompting conflict amongst the signatory nations and intelligence-sharing
communities. Additionally, though China claims they allow reporters into Xinjiang, they are
often followed by police and prevented from entering places of interest—hindering the
assessment and research process.
According to the second pillar of the R2P principle, it is the responsibility of the
international community to encourage and assist individual states in protecting their people
from humanitarian crises. With a lack of transparency in China, it is difficult to gauge which
methods should be used to intervene in Xinjiang. China’s current reporting and press
regulations provide a seemingly friendly atmosphere on paper but China is far less
transparent in reality. Proper international intervention requires thorough reporting on the
current humanitarian crisis and, without unfettered access, proper research is far less possible.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 28June 2021
A member of the Uyghur community joins a demonstration in London, United Kingdom. ©Justin
Tallis/AFP/Getty Images
5. “Tribunal to examine China genocide allegations begins as Beijing slams ‘farce’
hearing,” The Washington Post.
This article documents the establishment of a tribunal in London this month to
evaluate the alleged crimes being committed in Xinjiang, China, against the Uighur
population, as well as other Muslim minority groups in the region. The “people’s tribunal”,
as it has been called by organizers, will be made up of eight human rights lawyers and
experts. As of now, it is non-governmental and is not legally binding. This four day long
hearing would include testimonies from individuals like Qelbinur Sidik, a former teacher in a
Xinjiang internment camp who documented her forced sterilization, among other crimes she
became aware of during her time there. This was just one of many testimonials of the horrors
in Xinjiang, including separation of children from parents, mass surveillance, rape, and
torture. Other testimonials describe individuals being coerced to return to the region, after
threats made to their family members. Additionally, files had been leaked, documenting the
details of the government’s plans for the region, which corroborate many testimonials. China
has insisted that these accusations, and all statements made about the abhorrent conditions of
the camps in the Xinjiang region are an “anti-Chinese farce.” While the Chinese government
continues to refuse the legitimacy of the tribunal, and has placed sanctions on the chair of the
tribunal, the tribunal itself has vowed to remain impartial and objective. These notions that
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 29June 2021
the reports and testimonials come from a place of anti-Chinese sentiment is widespread by
the Chinese government both internationally and to the populace. 17
This tribunal represents the principles outlined by R2P--- it is an example of the
international community attempting to address human rights abuses despite the fact that it
does not include state actors, and no action has truly been taken. The difficulty emerges due
to the lack of government backing of the tribunal. While spreading awareness and providing
a platform for victims is an admirable cause, it is dampened by China’s denial of the
allegations. Without government backing, it is difficult to know what these tribunals will
tangibly achieve, besides perhaps closure to victims. In terms of preventing these abuses,
nothing will be truly accomplished until further action (military intervention, though
unlikely) by states is taken, leading to either China’s acknowledgement and ceasing of the
crimes at these camps, Ideally, this tribunal will compile enough evidence to encourage more
countries to take action against these abuses, perhaps through economic pressure.
17
Shannon Tiezzi, “What Do Chinese People Think Is Happening in Xinjiang?,” The Diplomat, accessed June 3,
2021, https://thediplomat.com/2021/05/what-do-chinese-people-think-is-happening-in-xinjiang/
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 30June 2021
China is going global with its campaign to divert criticism over its policies in the Xinjiang region. ©AP Photo/
Ng Han Guan
6. “China showcases Xinjiang’s economy to fight rights criticism,” AP News.
This article from the Associated Press highlights how The PRC conducted human
right abuses in Xinjiang under the guise of economic development plans. China claims that
the camps, and system as a whole, is designed to de-radicalize extremists responsible for
hundreds of deaths, and provide them with job skills. It is this claim that the Chinese
government points to in concurrence with the economic growth. Meanwhile, conferences in
Beijing counter claims of alleged human rights abuses, and allies Pakistan and Belarus has
endorsed China’s policy. Moreover, China’s rising economic success in the region is seen
more significantly by the Han ethnic majority, rather than the Uighur population and other
minority groups in Xinjiang. This article also addresses the tribunals addressed in other
articles in this dispatch, although as this article was published on June 2nd it discusses these
speculatively, prior to the events to come.
This article relates to the responsibility to protect doctrine because of the alleged
human rights abuses and China’s response. China’s invocation of economic growth to
combat these claims highlights their efforts to claim that these camps are not full of abuses,
as many claim, but instead are meant to provide job opportunities and skills to reformed
extremists. While this article highlights the evidence that this report is likely skewed in
China’s favor, it does not mention any international efforts to debunk this misinformation.
While the then upcoming tribunal was mentioned, there is a notable gap here. The tribunal
seeks to grant a platform to the voices that previously went unheard, which is a crucial
element in understanding China’s abuses, however it fails to thoroughly debunk the lies being
perpetuated by the government, as seen in this article. While this may seem inconsequential,
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 31June 2021
it could serve to place more pressure on China by pointing out the flaws in their claims, while
also bolstering the voices of the victims. Considering China still has some support from
allies, this could work to further disincentivize them from continuing their partnership and
endorsement.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 32June 2021
Members of the Uyghur community staged a demonstration outside Parliament in London, United Kingdom.
©GETTY IMAGES
7. “Hearings in London aim to assess allegations of genocide in China,” BBC.
This article provides specific details of the members of the tribunal convened to
evaluate China’s alleged human rights abuses. While other articles have discussed this
tribunal to some extent, this article provides the most details on the events of the tribunal,
mentioning the role played by president of the World Uighur Congress, Dolkun Isa, who
would be among those providing evidence to the tribunal. Isa has personal connections to the
alleged abuses, believing his mother to have been killed in one of China’s detention camps,
and whose brother is serving life in prison in the region. Also referenced for their close
proximity to the case is Abduweli Ayup, described as a “scholar and activist,” who discusses
the suspected death of his niece Mihray Erin. Erin returned to the Xinjiang region out of
concern for her parents, who had been allegedly pressured by authorities. This article also
mentions why it was specifically a non-governmental, non-binding tribunal used to
investigate the alleged crimes, rather than the International Criminal Court or International
Court of Justice. As China is not a member of the ICC, it is considered outside of its
jurisdiction, and the ICJ must have cases approved by the UN Security Council, which would
inevitably be vetoed by China. This article mentions how many countries, including the US,
UK, and Canada, have officially declared the situation in Xinjiang a genocide, however
Human Rights Watch refrained from this specific label, instead using “crimes against
humanity.” The specific goal of the tribunal is also highlighted by this article, as filling the
“void of information” caused by the lack of ability by international criminal courts to try
these alleged crimes. No recommendations will be made, only a presentation of evidence that
will be made available to the international community.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 33June 2021
If anything, this article highlights how the tribunal reflects some of the pitfalls of R2P.
The article mentions the fact that the ICC and ICJ were unable to be used in this case, either
due to China’s lack of involvement, or due to the amount of power that it wields. The failure
of the international court system to hold China accountable is what prompted the tribunal in
the first place. While this tribunal does offer a platform for victims, and a means to publicly
compile the allegations, it also offers little means for response by the international
community. While this article highlights statements made by some countries condemning
their abuses and labeling their actions as a genocide, this is not explicit action. Without
collective, state-backed efforts accompanying these testimonials, this case may become an
example of the failures of R2P. If the countries that have already made statements began to
take collective, clear action, they may be able to exert enough pressure on China to enact
change.
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 34June 2021
Uighur women gather outside the Chinese consulate in Istanbul to denounce the alleged rights violations of
Uighurs in Xinjiang ©Ozan Kose/AFP
8. “Amnesty says China has created a dystopian hellscape in Xinjiang,” Al Jazeera.
In a recent report from Amnesty International, China has been indicted for its
systemic and inhumane treatment of Uighers and other Muslim minorities, including
Kazakhs, the Hui, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Tajik ethnic groups, in Xinjiang province, with the
study claiming that their mistreatment is akin to “crimes against humanity.” Minority groups
have been coerced into abandoning their religion, culture, language, and are subject to mass
surveillance and detainment. The report coincided with news that China had been targeting
birth control policies at minorities, with the goal of cutting their births by 2.6 to 4.5 million
within the next two decades. Since 2017, many reports have come out of Xinxiang, where
minorities have been subject to exhausting interrogations, forms of torture such as sleep
deprivation and beatings, and strict control in concentration camps. Although many members
of the international community have acknowledged and condemned China’s treatment of
Muslims in Xinxiang, there has been a weak response in implementing change. However, the
US has begun talks on considering an economic sanction that would ban imports of products
made with forced labour in Xinxiang.
The article highlights the need for the global community to levy sanctions against
China in an effort to protect the minority populations suffering in Xinxiang. Legal sources
report atet eh ICJ does have jurisdiction to open an investigation and that there are concrete
steps that can be taken to place pressure on countries who are committing atrocities. The
Amnesty International Report placed increased pressure on the US, with the report being used
as part of a Senate hearing that also included testimony from researchers and Uigher
advocates. Growing evidence that crimes against humanity are being committed enhances
Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect | 35You can also read
