This week, Chairman John Moolenaar of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party addressed the Uyghur Genocide Resistance event. The gathering was organized by the Uyghur Human Rights Project with support from Campaign for Uyghurs, the Uyghur Academy, and other organizations.
During his remarks, Moolenaar recognized the Abbases and other Uyghur advocates for their efforts. He acknowledged the challenges faced by those who speak out about human rights abuses in China. "Thank you to the Abbases for the invitation to be here today, for continuing to fight for their sister. I know that as advocates for Uyghurs you yourselves are sometimes targeted for persecution even as you live outside of China. The hardships and pain you have endured because of what is happening to your loved ones is unimaginable and you will forever have my respect and admiration for your courage to fight the CCP," he said.
Moolenaar criticized communism as an ideology, connecting it to religious repression in China. "Communism is a broken and bankrupt ideology. It does not work economically, it does not make a country more secure, and it does not work spiritually. Everywhere it has been tried, it targets people of faith," he stated.
He also spoke about government policies affecting religious groups: "The party believes in the 'Sinicization of religion,' which is a full-scale assault against courageous people in China who choose to believe in a power higher than communism." He referenced reported actions such as internment camps, destruction of mosques, and forced sterilization affecting Uyghurs.
Moolenaar called on attendees to continue sharing stories about human rights violations: "It is our job to continue to share their stories and highlight their fight for basic human rights." Citing British abolitionist William Wilberforce, he added: “You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again that you did not know.”
He outlined ongoing efforts by his committee: "On the Select Committee, my colleagues and I are shedding light on the atrocities of the CCP. Every day we tell lawmakers, other government officials, companies, diplomats, and the public about China’s human rights abuses and how it uses forced labor in the supply chains of so many products."
Moolenaar emphasized enforcement of existing legislation: "Enforcement of the UFLPA is critical to stopping the abhorrent forced labor happening in Xinjiang and other parts of China." He urged companies to examine their supply chains closely: "Companies may want to pretend their supply chains are clean, but every time they partner with a company linked to the ongoing genocide, they betray their customers, their morals, and the founding values of unalienable rights from our Creator that has guided this land of liberty for 250 years."
He concluded by thanking participants: "Thank you for being here, thank for all you do, and thank for never looking away in this fight against the CCP."
