Washington, DC - Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding the passage of three China-related bills on the house floor, including two Uyghur-related bills and a Resolution to guarantee the safety and freedom of tennis star Peng Shuai.
The House passed bills include:
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H.R.1155 (McGovern) - Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
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H.Res. 317 (McCaul) - Condemning the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity being committed against Uyghurs and members of other religious and ethnic minority groups by the People's Republic of China
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H. Res. 837 (Wexton) – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the International Olympic Committee failed to adhere to its own human rights commitments
“The three bills passed today in the House of Representatives make clear that the United States will not stand idly by in the face of horrific human rights abuses committed by the People’s Republic of China.
“In passing H.Res 317, introduced by Ranking Member McCaul, and Rep. McGovern’s legislation, H.R. 1155, Congress is condemning the Chinese government for the forced labor, crimes against humanity, and genocide inflicted on the Uyghur people and other ethnic and religious minority groups. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has heard harrowing accounts from survivors of mass internment, forced labor, torture, political indoctrination, suppression of religious practices, family separation, sexual abuse, and other inhumane practices. It is incumbent on all nations to speak out against these atrocities, and for all companies to ensure their supply chains are not linked to forced labor practices, no matter how powerful the perpetrator of these human rights abuses.
“Additionally, Rep. Wexton’s bipartisan resolution is an important call for independent and verifiable proof of Peng Shuai’s freedom and safety. Peng, a three-time Olympian, disappeared last month after her sexual assault accusation against a high-ranking Chinese official. Since that time, the PRC used China’s Great Firewall to scrub the internet of her allegations and even her name. At a time when we are preparing to send hundreds of American athletes to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics, this resolution holds the PRC government accountable for its actions against Peng.”