Letter to the Hon. Mike Pompeo, Secretary of the US Department of State - Gillibrand, Harris Urge Secretary Of State Pompeo To Take Immediate Action To Cease Genocidal Campaign Against Minority Women In China

Letter

Dear Secretary Pompeo,

We write out of alarm over reports indicating that the Chinese government is currently undertaking a draconian campaign to forcibly sterilize and detain Uyghur and other ethnic minority women in western China. As you are aware, this systemic abuse and violation of women's rights is one aspect of the Chinese government's broader genocide against the Uyghur, Kazakh, and other minority groups within the People's Republic of China.

According to investigative reporting by the Associated Press, the Chinese government is forcing thousands of minority women to pregnancy checks, gynecological exams, forced insertions of intrauterine devices, and abortions. In addition to police raids, women are also threatened with or punished with exorbitant fines or detention if authorities believe that they have "too many' children. In detainment, women are beaten, forcibly rendered sterile through injections or oral medication, or forcibly given abortions. These actions are part of the Chinese government's goal to decrease the birth rate among minority groups in China and to cause severe trauma in order to stifle these communities.

The freedom for women to make autonomous choices about their bodies is foundational to broader human rights in any country. Any strategic efforts to hold China accountable for its genocidal campaign against minorities must address these horrific instances of abusing women and revoking their autonomy.

On Monday, June 28th, you tweeted that, "The United States condemns the use of forced population controls against Uyghur and other minority women and calls on the CCP to cease its campaign of repression. History will judge how we act today."

What actions do you and the State Department plan on taking in light of this reporting?

We look forward to your prompt response. We are prepared to undertake further legislative action to answer this genocidal campaign by the Chinese government.

Sincerely,

Source