ARGENTINIAN COURT HEARS UYGHUR REPRESSION CASE AGAINST CHINA

The Court of Appeal in Buenos Aires recently heard an appeal in a universal jurisdiction case in Argentina, focusing on allegations of repression and crimes against humanity committed against the Uyghur people by the Chinese government.

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This case, brought forth by Lawyers for Uyghur Rights, Uyghur Human Rights Project, and the World Uyghur Congress, stemmed from the Prosecutor’s decision to halt proceedings based on misinformation about a purported ongoing case in Turkey, as revealed in a statement by the organization Justice Abroad.

It is noteworthy that this hearing marked the first occasion when the Uyghur case for repression by the Chinese government, encompassing crimes against humanity and genocide, was presented before a criminal court.

The legal proceedings were initiated on August 16, 2022, in Buenos Aires, following a criminal complaint filed under the universal jurisdiction provisions outlined in Article 118 of the Argentinian Constitution.

These provisions empower any court in Argentina to address complaints related to international crimes.

On August 4, the Prosecutor’s decision to stay the case was based on press reports suggesting that victims in Turkey had ‘filed a case.’

Subsequently, on November 14, the victims appealed the investigating Judge’s decision to stay the case, challenging the basis of the Prosecutor’s decision.

During the recent hearing, the argument put forth was that there is no evidence indicating that the facts presented by the victims in Argentina are being considered in Turkey.

Moreover, it was asserted that a case in Turkey could only be initiated by the Minister of Justice, which had not occurred.