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LaMalfa Supports Freedom of Religion for Uighurs in Xinjiang

December 19, 2019

(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) issued the following statement after voting in favor of S. 178, the Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response (UIGHUR) Act. The UIGHUR Act would impose sanctions on Chinese government officials personally responsible for the discriminatory acts and would require export licenses for items that allow China's government to commit human rights violations.

LaMalfa said: "The Uighur population and other minorities in China's Xinjiang province have endured unacceptable injustices from the communist central government in Beijing because of their religious beliefs. The policies of Chinese officials towards the Uighurs flies in the face of all moral and international standards of the freedom of religion. Uighurs have been driven out of their homes, moved into "re-education camps", and forced to reject and relearn their religious, cultural, and political beliefs. The Uighurs, like every other group in the world, should have the freedom to practice their religious beliefs without fear of persecution. Any Chinese officials responsible for these actions should be held accountable for their horrific actions. The Chinese government should take note that Congress does not approve of Beijing's policies of suppression in Xinjiang or Hong Kong, and we will not stand for strong-handed, anti-democratic policies that deny basic human rights."

Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California's First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.