Trump signs law against repression of China's Muslim minority

(Patria) – President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a law that approves sanctions against China for the repression of Uyghurs.

This act, which Congress adopted with only one dissenting vote, sends a strong message to China regarding human rights and mandates sanctions against individuals responsible for the oppression of members of China's minority Muslim community.

The United Nations estimates that about one million Chinese Muslims – Uyghurs – are detained in camps in the Xinjiang region. The U.S. State Department accuses Chinese officials of subjecting Uyghurs to torture, abuse, and attempts to 'eradicate their culture and religion'.

China denies allegations of abuse and torture, claiming that the camps provide vocational training.

While President Trump was signing the Uyghur law, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held his first in-person meeting with Chinese officials since last year, this time with diplomat Yang Jiechi.

The Uyghur law calls for sanctions against a member of China's powerful Politburo and Communist Party Secretary Chen Quanguo for responsibility for 'gross human rights violations'.

It also urges American companies in Xinjiang not to use parts produced by forced labor.