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Uyghur community

The Uyghur, a Turkic-speaking minority based in China's northwestern Xinjiang province, view Beijing as a "colonizing power" attempting to undermine their political rights.

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All Content on this topic

Volkswagen-SAIC plant in Urumqi, China

Volkswagen to exit China's Xinjiang, sell factory

German car giant VW said that it would sell its factory and test track in Xinjiang for "economic reasons."
PoliticsNovember 27, 2024
US Senator Marco Rubio at a campaign rally at Mullett Arena, Tempe, AZ

Could Marco Rubio champion human rights in Southeast Asia?

Donald Trump's nominee for US secretary of state is known for his advocacy of human rights in Southeast Asia.
PoliticsNovember 18, 2024
A Chinese police officer at a vocational center in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region

China changes names of Uyghur villages, says report

China changed names of villages inhabited by Uyghur people and other minorities to generic terms, a rights group said.
Human RightsJune 19, 2024
Volkswagen logo

US: Volkswagen cars stuck in ports over banned part — report

Thousands of vehicles shipped by Volkswagen have reportedly been held up at US ports over a Chinese-made component.
Human RightsFebruary 15, 2024
Women wearing traditional Uyghur attire pose for a photo at the Old Kashgar tourist area in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.

China peddles alternative reality in Xinjiang

China is pumping funds into its idea of Uyghur culture, while suppressing the Muslim minority's religious traditions.
Human RightsSeptember 18, 202303:35 min
Activists take part in a protest against China's treatment towards the ethnic Uyghur people

China: How is Beijing whitewashing its Xinjiang policy?

China has been striving to show the world a different image of life for Uyghurs in the region of Xinjiang.
Human RightsSeptember 11, 2023
An employee operates a weaving loom at a textile factory in China's western Xinjiang region, March 31, 2021

Canada probes Walmart, Hugo Boss over Uyghur labor concerns

Western governments have repeatedly raised concerns about rights abuses faced by Uyghur Muslims in China.
Human RightsAugust 25, 2023
[No title]

Is it OK to stop basic research exchanges?

A DW co-investigation uncovered a path from a German physics department to the Chinese military. What now?
ScienceAugust 11, 202335:31 min
A woman wearing a mask walking in front passing by a Nike store in Beijing, China

Canada probes Nike over alleged use of forced Uyghur labor

Like Nike, the Dynasty Gold mining firm is being investigated for allegedly using Uyghur forced labor in China.
Human RightsJuly 12, 2023
A woman wearing a face mask in a textile factory in Xinjiang

Uyghur rights: Clothing firms under fire over forced labor

Skechers, Zara and several other fashion brands are facing a complaint filed by a group of NGOs in Paris.
BusinessMay 25, 2023
A view of Registan Square in Uzbekistan's city of Samarkand

What is China's strategy for Central Asia?

With Russia hit by sanctions, Central Asia is becoming more prominent in international affairs and trade.
PoliticsMay 16, 2023
Activists escorted out of VWs annual general meeeting by security staff

Activists throw cake amid protest at Volkswagen meeting

The climate change and human rights activists targeted Volkswagen executives at the German carmaker's AGM.
BusinessMay 11, 2023
Volkswagen plant in Xinjiang

Volkswagen: 'No evidence' of violations at Xinjiang plant

VW's China chief says he "verified the facts" about charges that the plant used Muslim Uyghur workers for forced labor.
Human RightsFebruary 28, 2023
Chinese Uyghurs

How a search tool offers overseas Uyghurs harrowing insights

A search tool has allowed some overseas Uyghurs to gain insights into their family members in China's Xinjiang region.
Human RightsFebruary 23, 2023
Cotton field and tractor in Hami, Xinjiang, China

London court dismisses Uyghur rights group's legal challenge

The Uyghur rights group said the UK had failed to investigate imported cotton allegedly produced through forced labor.
PoliticsJanuary 20, 2023
Gedenken und Protest nach Feuer in Urumqi

China: The truth behind the Urumqi tragedy

DW looks at what happened during a deadly apartment fire that sparked rare nationwide protests in China.
PoliticsDecember 10, 202202:46 min
Women sit holding pictures of victims and posters

Fire tragedy in Xinjiang: Is China's COVID policy to blame?

A deadly fire in Urumqi triggered protests across China. Did COVID policy contribute to the death toll? DW investigates.
PoliticsDecember 2, 2022
Chinese police at anti-COVID-19 demonstrations

China ramps up security in Shanghai after COVID protests

Authorities in Shanghai were seen putting up barriers following protests against COVID-19 measures.
PoliticsNovember 28, 2022
A man is arrested during a protest against China's zero-Covid policy

Nationwide protests in China call for easing COVID curbs

Protesters are demanding the easing of COVID restrictions in Beijing and Shanghai, as cases continue to rise.
PoliticsNovember 27, 2022
A screen shot of firefighters at night spraying water

China: Several dead in Xinjiang apartment fire

A blaze in a high-rise building has killed 10 people in the Xinjiang region of China.
CatastropheNovember 25, 2022
Xi Jinping

How Xi Jinping's 10 years in power changed China

As Xi Jinping approaches 10 years in power, experts say his rise has brought dramatic changes in China and abroad.
PoliticsNovember 14, 2022
Germany's government airbus "Konrad Adenauer"

Scholz's day trip to China: Why now?

Olaf Scholz's visit to China has been met with skepticism by some of Berlin's allies. DW's Thomas Sparrow explains.
PoliticsNovember 3, 202201:29 min
File photo taken in May 2021 shows people watching the Chinese national flag being raised at a mosque in Urumqi in China s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

50 countries condemn China’s action against Uyghurs

The countries called for ''urgent attention'' from the UN on China’s human rights violations against Uyghurs.
PoliticsNovember 1, 2022
People watching the Chinese national flag being raised at a mosque in Urumqi in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

UN Human Rights Council against opening debate on Xinjiang

A vote on debating the situation in Xinjiang was lost by 19 votes to 17 after Chinese diplomatic lobbying.
Human RightsOctober 6, 2022
New UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

UN appoints new human rights chief following Xinjiang report

The new commissioner, Volker Türk, is replacing the outgoing Michelle Bachelet.
Human RightsSeptember 9, 2022
external

UN Uyghur Report

The United Nations says China's treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups may constitute crimes against humanity. Rian Thum is a historian and senior Lecturer in East Asian History at Manchester University. He tells Brent Goff on The Day that China's policies are a "huge threat" to Uyghur culture.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 202204:43 min
external

Former Uyghur detainees of internment camps

Former detainees of Xinjiang internment camps share their stories DW News Asia.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202202:44 min
People watching the Chinese national flag being raised at a mosque in Urumqi in China s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

Uyghurs slam UN's China report

The UN's report on China's treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang came too late for many in the Uyghur community.
Human RightsSeptember 1, 2022
People wear masks with a Uyghur flag pattern and Chinese flag covering their mouths at a protest in Jakarta

UN warns of possible 'crimes against humanity' in Xinjiang

The United Nations has found "credible" reports of discriminatory detention and torture against Uyghur people.
Human RightsSeptember 1, 2022
Chinese President Xi Jinping in Xinjiang province

Xi's Xinjiang, HK trips help him bolster his power

Xi's trips will show CCP members that the policies implemented in both places can help maintain stability, say experts.
PoliticsJuly 26, 2022
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, visits the community of Guyuanxiang in the Tianshan District in Urumqi

Xi Jinping visits Xinjiang for first time since crackdown

The visit from Xi Jinping to Xinjiang comes as the US and others slam China for its treatment of Muslim Uyghurs.
Human RightsJuly 15, 2022
Michelle Bachelet delivers her statement during the opening day of the 50th session of the Human Rights Council

UN rights chief Bachelet says won't seek second term

She has faced criticism for not speaking out more forcefully against claims of widespread abuses, especially in China.
Human RightsJune 13, 2022
The entrance of the Volkswagen factory in Xinjiang

VW defends Xinjiang operations amid alleged rights abuses

The German car giant has claimed its presence in Xinjiang has a positive impact despite reports of human rights abuses.
BusinessMay 30, 2022
A video still of Michelle Bachelet speaking at a press conference in China

UN's Bachelet 'raised concerns' on visit to Xinjiang

Activists slammed UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet for her restrained criticism of alleged abuses in Xinjiang.
SocietyMay 28, 2022
People wearing masks protest against China's treatment towards the ethnic Uyghur people and calling for a boycott of the 2022 winter Olympics in China

Germany rethinks its prosperous partnership with China

China's human rights violations and its backing of Russia's war in Ukraine are prompting Berlin to rethink relations.
PoliticsMay 27, 2022
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi meets with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet in Guangzhou

Xinjiang pressure on UN rights chief during China trip

With Michelle Bachelet's silence on events in Xinjiang, experts say the credibility of the UN is on the line.
Human RightsMay 25, 2022
A security person watches from a guard tower at a detention facility in Xinjiang

China: Leaked Xinjiang files likely accurate, experts say

Experts tell DW that "The Xinjiang Police Files" are almost certainly authentic — shedding new light on abuses in China.
Human RightsMay 24, 2022
A photo taken in December 2018 shows a guard tower and barbed wire fences set up around a facility in China's Xinjiang region

UN rights chief to visit China's Xinjiang

Michelle Bachelet is making a landmark trip to the region, where Beijing is alleged to have repressed Muslim minorities.
Human RightsMay 24, 2022
Michelle Bachelet pictured at a press conference in Geneva

UN's Bachelet arrives in China, will visit Xinjiang

The US raised doubts about Chinese officials giving the UN human rights chief "necessary access" to asses the situation.
Human RightsMay 23, 2022
Farmers pick cotton during the harvest on October 21, 2019 in Shaya County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China

China ratifies international forced labor conventions

China will ratify two different conventions on forced labor in response to Xinjiang concerns.
Human RightsApril 20, 2022
China's foreign minister arrives in Kabul

China's foreign minister makes surprise Afghanistan trip

China's top diplomat Wang Yi has met with Taliban leaders in Kabul and Indian officials in New Delhi.
ConflictsMarch 24, 2022
Xi Jinping (l) und Michelle Bachelet seated next to one another during the APEC summit in Vietnam in 2017

UN rights chief to visit China's Xinjiang

Rights groups have said over a million Muslim Uyghurs are being kept in "reeducation camps" in the western province.
Human RightsMarch 8, 2022
After two weeks triumphs and heartbreak, the Beijing Winter Olympics have officially come to a close.

Beijing Winter Olympics recap

Beijing closes a Winter Olympics overshadowed by the pandemic, politics and a doping scandal.
SportsFebruary 21, 202202:11 min
Yan Jiarong

Beijing 2022 organizers dismiss human rights concerns

A spokesperson for the local organizing committee dismissed alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang as "lies."
SportsFebruary 17, 2022
An LA business owner from Yinjiang has turned his restaurant into a form of activism for Uyghurs.

Restaurant owner on a mission for Uyghurs

An LA business owner from Yinjiang has turned his restaurant into a form of activism for Uyghurs.
Human RightsFebruary 6, 202202:49 min
external

World Stories - The Week in Reports

Germany: Molested by a Catholic Priest, Hippos in Colombia: An environmental threat
February 5, 202212:31 min
Hong Kong activist Koo Sze-yiu speaks to the media after arriving at a court in September 2020

Hong Kong: Veteran activist arrested ahead of protest

Koo Sze-yiu planned to protest Beijing's hosting of the Winter Games outside China's Liaison Office in Hong Kong.
PoliticsFebruary 4, 2022
A COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing and a diplomatic boycott are dampening the Olympic spirit.

Muted countdown to Beijing Olympics

A COVID-19 outbreak in Beijing and a diplomatic boycott are dampening the Olympic spirit.
SportsFebruary 3, 202202:48 min
Engel Dagmar Kommentarbild App

Beijing 2022 — A dubious Winter Olympics

Dagmar Engel
No fans, no politicians and no snow — just criticism. DW's Dagmar Engel asks if the winter games even have a future.
SportsFebruary 3, 2022
A Chinese soldier in front of the Great Hall of the People gesturing to a photographer to stop taking photos by hoding up his left palm

Press freedom rapidly deteriorating in China — report

Foreign journalists working in China are facing "unprecedented hurdles" ahead of the Winter Olympics, a new survey says.
PoliticsJanuary 31, 2022