China's Repression of Uigher Muslims: A Human Rights Perspective in Historical Context

Abstract

This essay focuses on Beijing’s repression of its Uigher population, a religious and ethnic minority community residing in northwest China. Recent human rights violations have attracted significant attention among journalists, activists and policy makers. Still, this writing argues that Beijing’s tactics reflect worsening human rights violations spanning decades rather than years. In addition to providing historical context, this essay makes an important contribution to existing literature because it applies Interest Convergence Theory to the instant context. In so far as its laws, policies and practices create fertile breeding grounds for violent extremism locally and internationally, it is in Beijing’s strategic interest to respect, protect and advance human rights for all citizens.

Keywords: Interest Convergence Theory, International Law, Human Rights Law, National Security, Terrorism, Islamophobia