CFU Denounces Elon Musk’s Deeply Troubling Comments on Uyghur Genocide

  • September 15, 2023

CFU PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2023 12:30 PM ET

Sabrina Sohail: sabrina@campaignforuyghurs.org

(650) 703-4523

www.campaignforuyghurs.org

Campaign For Uyghurs (CFU), condemns the recent irresponsible remarks made by Elon Musk regarding China’s repression of the Uyghurs. According to the new book by Walter Isaacson, Musk’s assertion that there are “two sides” to “China’s repression of the Uyghur people” is deeply troubling and unacceptable to describe this humanitarian crisis. 

Walter Isaacson’s book reveals that Musk was irked by questions about whether Tesla’s business interests in China might influence his stance on Twitter. Musk, a prominent figure in the tech and business world, conceded that he would need to avoid angering China’s leadership. Furthermore, it is worth noting that Musk previously stirred controversy by opening a Tesla showroom in Urumchi, East Turkistan.

CFU staunchly maintains its stance that there is absolutely no room for ambiguity regarding the Uyghur Genocide. It is our firm conviction that any attempt to downplay, ignore, or distort the gravity of this heinous act is both unacceptable and morally reprehensible. The overwhelming evidence of mass detentions, forced labor, cultural erasure, and other atrocities committed against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim people in East Turkistan (AKA Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) demands unequivocal condemnation and action from the international community.

In response to these disturbing remarks, Executive Director Rushan Abbas said “Elon Musk’s comments are deeply disappointing and offensive to the Uyghur people and all those who care about human rights and justice. Especially to someone like myself, a sister to a direct victim who is suffering in the hands of the regime as a hostage to reprimand me for my freedom of speech in the US. There is no moral equivalence when it comes to the systematic repression, torture, and abuse faced by the Uyghur people. We call on Mr. Musk to educate himself about the Uyghur Genocide and reconsider his stance. There is no double side or neutrality for genocide. Companies have started relocating their production and manufacturing operations from China, I would urge Elon Musk to consider a similar move, specifically with regards to Tesla and any other business engagements he may have in China as he would not want to end up on the wrong side of history for being complicit in genocide.”

CFU reiterates its commitment to raising awareness about the Uyghur Genocide and advocating for the rights and dignity of the Uyghur people. We urge individuals, businesses, and governments to stand up for Uyghurs against such atrocities and demonstrate their commitment to upholding human rights, combating forced labor, and ensuring the integrity of global supply chains.

You can read about Tesla’s disregard for the ongoing use of Uyghur forced labor in the company’s supply chain as highlighted in a recent report by Sheffield Hallam University and NomoGaia.

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Campaign for Uyghurs

We defend the human rights of Uyghur people and the free world by exposing and confronting the Chinese government's genocide, and empowering Uyghur women and youth in the diaspora.

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