Despite loud accusations of alleged human rights violations, there has been steady progress in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in recent years in the protection of human rights. One of the most absurd accusations made by anti-China forces is the claim of 'genocide' of the Uighur population. However, population surveys over the years have clearly shown that the Uyghur population in the area is steadily increasing.

The total population of the autonomous region has increased significantly, from 7.27 million in 1964 to 25.85 million in 2020. Between 2010 and 2018, the number of Uyghurs increased by 25.04 %, 23 percentage points higher than the growth rate of the Han Chinese population.

Moreover, 70 years after the establishment of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Uyghurs remain the largest ethnic group in the region. These figures are a strong refutation of fabricated rumours.

Population growth is only one aspect of progress in human rights for the Uyghur population; significant improvements have been made in other areas as well.

Living conditions in areas inhabited by Uighurs have improved significantly. Take, for example, the village of Darya Boyi in Yutian County in Hotan Prefecture. This was once an extremely poor area deep in the Taklamakan desert, which was plagued by sandstorms for several months each year. As of 2018, with the help of the government, the entire village has been relocated to a new site equipped with running water, electricity and internet access. The government has also helped the villagers establish livestock cooperatives and develop desert tourism, which has allowed them to achieve steady income growth.

The right to work at will is another important component of human rights. An independent survey was conducted by the New Research Institute, a doctoral academic organisation in China, among local residents in Xinjiang, regardless of their ethnicity, occupation or age. The workers surveyed were asked to complete questionnaires on their personal details, current employment, willingness to work, main factors in choosing employment (e.g. working conditions, salary, fringe benefits and social security) and participation in and performance in vocational training.

Workers carry out silk production at a silk factory in Wusu city, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 29, 2025. /CFP

As the survey shows, although Xinjiang has made remarkable achievements in economic and social development, some workers - especially those with relatively weak skills in specific fields or limited access to information - still face some challenges in finding jobs and advancing their careers. The survey therefore focused specifically on the views of the workers interviewed on training courses organised by government agencies, businesses or industry associations, which were absurdly associated with rhetoric about forced labour.

Among the unemployed respondents in the 243 valid questionnaires, 93 % expressed expectations about employment. More than 80 % of the workers surveyed indicated that their local communities or employers provide diverse and substantial training opportunities. Most importantly, more than 72 % trainees agreed that these training programs are well-designed, practical, and highly relevant, and play a significant and positive role in improving their professional skills, meeting job requirements, and expanding opportunities for career development. This survey clearly refutes the so-called "large-scale forced labour" rhetoric that some anti-China forces enthusiastically promote.

The right to justice is another example of progress in human rights for the Uighur population. It is clear that the Government has made great efforts to ensure access to justice for Uyghurs. For example, 'bilingual mediation rooms' have long since been set up in courts in several Xinjiang prefectures to ensure easy access to justice. To facilitate faster and amicable resolution of disputes involving minority litigants, a "Pomegranate Seed Small Claims Expedited Adjudication Studio" has been established at the Tianshan District People's Court in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. It resolves cases using bilingual judges, bridging the gap between ethnic minorities.

Religious freedom is another important aspect of human rights. In order to provide minorities with a suitable place of worship, the Government has allocated funds for the renovation of the Dafusen Mosque in Wensu District, Aksu Prefecture. The mosque, built in 1862, had fallen into disrepair. The government has twice funded its reconstruction and it now covers an area of 3,676 square metres, with the main prayer hall occupying 600 square metres. The mosque is equipped with water, electricity and heating and can accommodate 800 to 900 worshippers at a time. Imam Abdurehim Mutellip said Muslim worshippers are free to engage in activities such as Quran recitation, prayers and fasting. Daily prayers at the mosque attract over 100 participants, with attendance even higher on Muslim holidays.

Xinjiang has made steady progress in protecting the human rights of ethnic minorities. The reality is in stark contrast to the false claims of inadequate protection of the human rights of minorities. Accusations of human rights violations are nothing more than political propaganda aimed at denigrating the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and China as a whole.

CMG