Busting False Equivalence on Xinjiang and Kashmir
A media group in Pakistan is continuously pushing a narrative through its print section that since Pakistan is fighting a case for Muslims in Kashmir, it should also fight the case of alleged oppression of Muslims in North-Western Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China to prove its true support for Muslim identity.
The first article was published on July 27, 2020, with the title “Silence won’t Pay” by a freelance journalist named Huma Yusuf, who also happens to be a Business Integrity Manager of a UK Government project. The second article was published on August 04, 2020, with the title “Double Standards” by Owen Bennett-Jones, a journalist famed for his close links with the absconder Hussain Haqqani. Four out of five books authored by Owen Bennett-Jones focused on maligning Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Firstly, both the authors fail to note that Pakistan has not been silent on China’s counter-terrorism efforts in Xinjiang rather it has shown its support. Pakistan was among the 54 nations who praised China’s human rights record. The fact important to mention is that the above-mentioned praise in the United Nations came after a joint statement supported by 23 states against China was presented by the United Kingdom to the UN. So saying that Pakistan is silent on Uighurs or the Xinjiang issue is not correct, Pakistan has clearly taken a position that it’s in favour of China on the world’s most important forum.
Secondly, the irony of Owen Bennett-Jones’ argument is that he praises the same ideology that he criticised in his own writings earlier in his four books on Pakistan. Owen Bennet-Jones wrote: “So how can it be that the Uighurs are more stoutly defended by American Christians than Pakistani Muslims?”
Thirdly, the issue of Uighurs in Xinjiang has nothing to do with Islam or Muslims in China, it’s the issue of extremism and radicalism which every country in the West dealt with according to their own laws, customs and cultures. Even for that matter Pakistan’s successful counter violent extremism (CVE) and counter-terrorism efforts were criticised on flimsy grounds of rights violation without any evidentiary backing. When it comes to the war against terrorism the West has no single locus standi. Whatever actions the Chinese government is taking are a response to the real threat of terrorism that have affected common people of Xinjiang in China.
Fourthly, Owen Bennet-Jones tries to take refuge in Kashmir issue by saying that: “Next time I am asked why Western governments don’t take more interest in Kashmiri rights, I will reply: for the same reason Pakistan doesn’t take more interest in Uighur rights.” It is noteworthy to point out that the Kashmir issue is on the United Nations agenda in the past seven decades and there are many resolutions on the issue. Is there any resolution on Xinjiang, binding or non-binding ever? Pakistan and India both have claims on Kashmir, is there any other country who claims that Xinjiang is its jugular vein? Pakistan and India have fought wars on Kashmir in the last 70 years. Kashmir is an unresolved issue between two countries, unlike Xingjiang. Is there any demand for referendum or right to self-determination from Uighurs? The United Nations General Assembly Resolution even legalised the armed struggle in Kashmir, is that the same case for Uighurs?
There’s no comparison of both issues and there will never be one because it is not your business, it is not ours, just like the violations of rights of minorities in India is not something Pakistan or China is talking about on international forums.
Last but not the least Owen Bennet-Jones confessed in the same article: “It barely needs saying that the Americans have no genuine interest in Uighur rights. Washington has only raised the issue to advance its position in its trade dispute with China. If the US was really concerned about defending Muslims in western China it would have been campaigning on Uighur rights long before President Trump decided to launch his new Cold War.” This leaves one wondering. If you’re not concerned about making a difference, then why would you propagate such baseless arguments?
