By Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, July 15: The “people’s court” known as the Court of the Citizens of the World charged Chinese President Xi Jinping of crimes against humanity and genocide for China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims and Tibetans which convened from July 8-12 in Hague, Netherland.
The tribunal examined Chinese President Xi Jinping’s crimes against humanity in Tibet, acts of aggression in Taiwan and genocide against the Uyghur population in Eat Turkestan (Ch: Xinjiang). These charges were presented through statements, expert testimonies, and victim narratives.
In Tibet and East Turkistan ( Ch: Xinjiang), evidence showed systematic attacks on civilian populations belonging to religious and ethnic minorities. Witnesses detailed human rights abuses in these regions. Tibetan former political prisoner Golok Jigme described surveillance and intimidation, while an Uyghur victim recounted the use of torture instruments.
The court confirmed counts of crimes against humanity In Tibet, including the destruction of monasteries and restrictions on religious and cultural practices. The construction of colonial boarding schools and the criminalisation of Tibetan language and traditions aimed to eradicate the cultural and religious identity. Victims’ accounts highlighted the repression faced by Tibetan activists and the destruction of monasteries. Experts discussed the psychological and emotional trauma caused by the forced relocation of Tibetan children, which threatened the transmission of their culture.
In East Turkistan (Ch: Xinjiang), the court saw that mass detention camps have been established, where torture and forced sterilisation have occurred. Witnesses reported beatings, denial of food and sleep, and organised surveillance and control over Uyghur lives, as well as the demolition of mosques.
The tribunal’s findings revealed extensive human rights abuses by the Chinese state. Judge Stephen Rapp highlighted the gravity of the crimes, stating the aim to eliminate a whole community. The court put charges of crimes against humanity against Xi Jinping, based on evidence of his control over state organs committing violations in Tibet and East Turkistan (Ch: Xinjiang).
This tribunal, comprised of Former Ambassador for War Crimes Stephen Rapp, Former Mandela appointee before the Constitutional Court of South Africa Zak Yacoob, and lawyer and international law specialist Bhavani Fonseka, sat from July 8-11, 2024, to hear crimes of aggression, crimes against humanity, and genocide charges against Xi.
Reports reveal that there have been concerted attempts to derail proceedings at the tribunal. The tribunal has faced harassment and efforts to shut it down, including the receipt of a fraudulent cease and desist order. The letter, confirmed by the court to be fraudulent, used the name of a legitimate UK law firm alongside that of a fake lawyer. It stated in part: “This event purports to hold an illegal trial, which is not sanctioned by any recognized judicial authority. The planned event constitutes a serious violation of both Dutch and international law. Hosting or facilitating such an event may result in several legal violations, including but not limited to impersonation of judicial authority, violation of public order, defamation, false imprisonment, and complicity in criminal activities. Under Article 118 of the Dutch Penal Code, it is a criminal offence to impersonate a public official, including judicial authorities.”
In addition to the fraudulent cease and desist order, the tribunal reported that an alleged spy, posing as a new legal volunteer from Italy, engaged in actions designed to undermine the court’s operations. On July 2, this individual sent an unauthorized group message to all staff members, baselessly claiming that the court was not paying its staff, acting “unjustly,” and questioning its moral legitimacy. The spy further attempted to provoke fellow volunteers to resign and sent emails from the court’s official accounts to legal participants, urging them not to attend the upcoming trial in The Hague against President Xi.
