The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and the Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights (UZDM) jointly submitted a report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The report provides information ahead of the committee’s pre-sessional working group from 29 September – 2 October 2026, with the view that the Committee members take into consideration the information and ask pointed questions during the committee’s upcoming review on China.
Non-Discrimination (Article 2)
In its State report, China claims that it has adopted measures to ensure equal rights and non-discrimination for children belonging to ‘’ethnic minorities’’ and children separated from their parents. However WUC and UZDM noted that Uyghur children are being discriminated against due to their ethnic identity. By separating them from their parents, placing them in state-run boarding schools and not allowing contact with their parents, the PRC government is actively trying to erase the Uyghur language and culture to assimilate Uyghur children into loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party and its ideologies.
Best interests of the child (Article 3)
WUC and UZDM noted that China prioritizes enforcing its assimilation policies and erasure of Uyghur culture and language over the best interests of the child. The separation of children from their parents has been emphasized as an example to China’s disregard of the best interests of the child.
Name and nationality / Birth registration (Article 7)
WUC and UZDM brought to the attention of the Committee the ban on Islamic names by China, under the guise of “anti-extremism”.
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 14)
WUC and UZDM has pointed out China’s severe violations of the freedom of thought, conscience and religion in East Turkistan in the form outlawing religious education in the family, prohibiting religious activities to people under 18 years of age as well as “Sinicization” of the religions and places of worship.
Preservation of Identity (Article 8)
WUC and UZDM has pointed out that the identity of the child also comprises national origin, religion and beliefs, cultural identity and that the identity of Uyghur children is under the threat of erasure by the assimilation policies of the Chinese government.
Separation from parents (Article 9) and Family environment and parental guidance (Article 5)
WUC and UZDM has noted that Uyghur children have been separated from their parents due to mass detention campaigns and children who are separated from their parents have been placed in state-run boarding schools. As evidenced by the international sources, the Chinese government uses these state-boarding schools as a way to assimilate Uyghur children.
Family Reunification (Article 10)
WUC and UZDM has noted that China has failed to fulfill its duties under the Article 10 of the Convention by separating Uyghur children from their parents and not allowing them to stay in contact.
Education: aims and coverage (Article 28)
WUC and UZDM brought to the attention of the Comittee the use of Mandarin as the sole language of instruction as well as the curriculum in the state-run boarding schools which aim to assimilate Uyghur children.
Children belonging to minority or indigenous groups (Article 30)
WUC and UZDM has noted that with the newly adopted Ethnic Unity Law, the legal grounds have been laid down to deny Uyghur children their rights and accelerate Sinicization policies of the CCP.
Economic exploitation, including child labour (Article 32)
WUC and UZDM has pointed out the fact that Uyghur children have been the victim of forced labour, under the guise of student worker programmes and China has severely violated its rights under the Article 32 of the Convention.
Submission-to-the-United-Nations-Committee-on-the-Rights-of-the-Child-CRC.