Human Rights Watch reports Chinese repression of Uyghur Australians

A report by Human Rights Watch alleges that Chinese authorities are engaging in transnational repression by targeting Uyghur Australians. The report claims that individuals visiting family in Xinjiang are being interrogated and pressured to act as informants against activists, organizations, and Uyghur-language schools in Australia.

According to the findings, visitors to Xinjiang face intense surveillance, including requirements to stay in government-designated hotels and report daily activities. Interviewees reported being subjected to multiple interrogations, with one session lasting over seven hours. Authorities allegedly sought personal contact information and addresses of prominent Uyghur activists living in Australia to facilitate monitoring.

Human Rights Watch suggests that China is exploiting separated families to intimidate the diaspora and silence denunciations of human rights abuses. The organization has called on the Australian government to issue travel advisories, establish secure reporting channels, and enact legislation to combat transnational repression.