In Russia, it’s Putin’s orders of the violent annexation of the Crimea that has sparked global outrage and fiery Ukrainian protests.

In the EU, it’s Boris Johnson’s ignorance of the Labor party that has caused the controversy of Brexit.

In areas all across South America, it’s the raised public transportation fares and local goods prices that have protestors fighting for income equality.

And in China, ranging from the economically brutal trade war, the theft of intellectual property, and the violent extradition bill protests, President Xi Jin Ping has only used his military to strengthen his grip on protesting citizens who so desperately call for democracy.

I find it insane how slowly but surely, global leaders of the most powerful countries in the world condone and encourage the use of violence to maintain geopolitical power.

And now, not only is Xi Jin Ping silencing democracy, but he is targeting and torturing the Uighur Muslims in Chinese concentration camps. This brutal treatment has greatly harmed China’s already damaged international reputation, and in a couple ways.

China’s torture of these Muslims makes them significantly more deadly and dangerous.
Essentially, Xi Jin Ping has ordered the Chinese military to forcefully drag thousands of Uighur Muslims from their homes and detain them in concentration camps where they are forced to eat pork, drink alcohol, and strip themselves of their hijabs. The hijab and abstinence of pork and alcohol are staples of the Muslim culture-- but China is forcing these Uighurs to strip themselves of this culture, solely because they despise Muslims and want the Uighurs to cleanse themselves of their religion.

China’s actions result in a decreased will for trade, as other countries don’t desire to trade with a country who is so horrifically infringing on human rights. In fact, the US House of Representatives recently passed a bill for sanctions on China due to their horrid treatment of the Uighur people. The UN chairman had denounced China as well. Clearly, China is violent and their actions are unacceptable. They should definitely stop their detainment of these Uighurs for the sake of these violated human rights and their reputation. Plus, China can’t afford a decreased will for foreign trade-- their economy is already slipping due to the extradition bill protests cutting tourism and work, and the ever prevalent trade war.

But China, not ceasing to end their actions, clearly doesn’t realize this; even if they do, they’re choosing to ignore the backlash they’re receiving internationally.

To really slap China’s hand and have them end their heinous actions, the global community should react in two ways. First, the UN should intervene and reprimand China harshly. In fact, the UN Security Council has the power to investigate the dispute, maintain international peace, and take military action against an aggressor (in this case, China)-- they should definitely be applying these powers to control this rabid country. Second, the US should impose tougher sanctions on China. If they do, they’ll worsen China’s economy to the point in which China must cease their detainment and torture of these Muslims.

Ultimately, it’s horrific of China to continue detaining and torturing Muslims simply because of their religion. We can only hope that their heinous actions end with the help of the global community.

<Clara Son/ Orange County School of the Arts 9th Grade>