Deusdedit Ruhangariyo
Special to ICT
Around the world: On anniversary, Uyghurs call for Xinjiang genocide to end, Yaqui water defender battles for a sacred river amid drought, a $47.8 billion child welfare settlement in Canada, and First Nation films featured at Melbourne International Film Festival.
CHINA: Uyghurs call for genocide end
On the 15th anniversary of ethnic violence in Xinjiang, Uyghurs protested at U.N. offices in Switzerland and Chinese embassies globally, urging the international community to halt China’s genocide in the region, Radio Free Asia reported on July 11.
On July 5, Uyghurs marked the 15th anniversary of ethnic violence in Xinjiang. Uyghurs called on the international community to stop what they termed China’s genocide in the region. These protests followed a critical review of China’s human rights record at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, where member states condemned China’s treatment of mostly Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang, also known as East Turkistan.
Uyghur exile and advocacy groups argue the U.N. and individual countries have not taken concrete action against China for severe rights abuses in Xinjiang, including mass detentions, torture, cultural genocide, forced labor, and forced sterilization of Uyghur women. China denies any rights abuses against the 11 million Uyghurs.
In Istanbul, Turkey, home to a significant Uyghur community, protesters gathered outside the Chinese consulate, waving the blue-and-white flag of East Turkistan and chanting, “Get out of East Turkistan” and “East Turkistan, not Xinjiang!”
Hidayatullah Oguz Khan, chairman of the International Union of East Turkistan Organizations, stated, “We insist that the truth of the genocide in East Turkistan must be recognized by all countries and the U.N. General Assembly. To end the genocide and occupation, and to achieve results for the legitimate struggle of the East Turkistan people, it is imperative to accept and support the legitimacy of this struggle.”
Uyghurs also held rallies on July 5 in front of Chinese diplomatic missions in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and various European countries to commemorate the 2009 crackdown in Urumqi. According to Chinese government figures, about 200 people died and 1,700 were injured during the three-day violence between Uyghurs and Han Chinese, though Uyghur human rights groups estimate the death toll at around 1,000. This event triggered the Chinese government’s campaign to repress Uyghur culture, language and religion through mass surveillance and internment.
During the review of China’s human rights record in Geneva on July 4, some Human Rights Council representatives criticized Beijing for not acting on previous recommendations. In 2022, a report by then-U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, who visited Xinjiang, stated that China’s mass detentions of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities might constitute crimes against humanity.
In 2023, 51 countries, including the U.S., expressed deep concern at the U.N. over China’s human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. This came after China was elected to the U.N. Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term, despite its poor human rights record.
Chinese state media portrayed the rights record review as a success, highlighting praise from countries like Russia, Venezuela and Vietnam for Beijing’s efforts to protect and promote human rights. Many Muslim-majority countries have remained silent on China’s treatment of the Uyghurs.
MEXICO: Yaqui activist arrested
On September 11, 2014, Mario Luna Romero was arrested by state judicial police in Obregón, near his tribe’s territory in Sonora, and taken to a maximum-security prison. Accused of kidnapping and car theft, he was held in isolation for over a year despite insufficient evidence, Mongabay reported on July 9.
Several months prior to his arrest, Mario Luna Romero spearheaded a vigorous campaign against the Independencia Aqueduct, which threatened to significantly reduce the flow of the Yaqui River to his tribe’s land, known as Yaqui Territory.
The 172-kilometer (107-mile) aqueduct was approved by the Mexican government to meet Hermosillo’s water demands, the state capital, without obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of the Yaqui tribe, a violation later confirmed by a Supreme Court ruling. The Yaquis, alongside other affected groups, organized protests and legal actions to stop its construction.
Days after his arrest, Amnesty International launched an Urgent Action Campaign, calling for Luna’s safety in custody and urging authorities to ensure his right to a fair trial. This included an impartial criminal investigation and protection against politically motivated charges.
CANADA: $47.8 billion child welfare settlement
On Thursday, the Assembly of First Nations announced it has obtained a commitment from Canada for $47.8 billion over the next decade to reform First Nations child and family services, CBC News reported on July 12.
On the final day of the Assembly of First Nations’ annual general assembly in Montreal, National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak announced the financial commitment from Canada. This announcement came two days after she informed attending chiefs about the pending offer, which she was initially unable to discuss publicly.
“The funding will lead to improved supports for First Nations children and their families through fundamental reforms to the program,” stated Woodhouse Nepinak at a news conference, according to CBC News. “We’re trying to change our broken system. … We are moving towards prevention rather than apprehension.”
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, who was also at the news conference, commented, “It’s an attempt to bring some peace to families and communities who have experienced the cruel policy of separating families as a tool of colonialism.”
The settlement offers, worth more than double the 2021 promise, were detailed by Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict, a member of the negotiating team. He noted that the agreement emphasizes “capital to the forefront” and includes housing funding. “If you do not have a safe home to live in, it is difficult to ensure that our families remain together, supported, and safe,” he said.
Alvin Fiddler, grand chief of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, highlighted the importance of adjusted funding for remote First Nations, calling it a great day for their children.
The offer results from a 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ruling that found Canada had willfully and recklessly discriminated against First Nations children and families on reserves and in Yukon by failing to provide equal child and family services.
In 2019, the tribunal ordered Canada to pay a $40,000 maximum human rights penalty per affected child and family member, part of the $23 billion compensation approved last year. An additional $20 billion was promised in an agreement-in-principle to reform the services.
The Assembly of First Nations plans to discuss the draft settlement agreement details with First Nations leaders at regional engagement sessions throughout July, August and September, leading to a ratification vote at a special assembly in September.
AUSTRALIA: Festival features First Nation films
The renowned Melbourne International Film Festival has revealed its detailed lineup for 2024, National Indigenous Times reported on July 13.
The Melbourne International Film Festival has revealed an extensive lineup for 2024, featuring over 250 films, shorts and XR experiences. These will be presented at various venues in Melbourne, across Victoria, and online from August 8-25.
Among the highlighted selections are four Indigenous films and documentaries. “Like My Brother,” a world premiere co-directed by Danielle MacLean and Sal Balharrie, follows four young women from the Tiwi Islands aspiring to become professional football players. The film explores their challenges, including leaving family, coping with homesickness, and overcoming obstacles faced by Indigenous youth.
Another significant film, “Voice,” provides an inside look at the Indigenous-led group Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good as they journey 3,000 kilometers across Australia to garner support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament. Directed by Krunal Padhiar and co-directed by Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good co-founder Semara Jose, this documentary offers a groundbreaking perspective on last year’s Voice referendum.
“Come, Let Us Walk Together” (Kajoo Yannaga), presented by Now or Never and ACMI, is an immersive two-channel projection guided by First Nations knowledge. Real-time motion tracking maps body movement, connecting viewers to place and transporting them to a vivid spirit realm. Artist April Phillips, a Wiradjuri-Scottish woman of the galari/kalari peoples from the Yuin Nation, leads the project. Her work celebrates First Nations futurism, intergenerational healing, and digital experimentation.
Jon Bell makes his directorial debut with “The Moogai,” expanding on his 2020 short film. Bell, known for TV series like “Redfern Now,” “Cleverman,” and “Mystery Road,” brings powerful performances from Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt, who reprise their roles from the short. The feature film, rich in symbolism, has received acclaim.
My final thoughts
My final thoughts are in Canada where the Assembly of First Nations announced that it has obtained a commitment from Canada for $47.8 billion over the next decade to reform First Nations child and family services.
This unprecedented investment is a commendable step by the federal government of Canada, demonstrating a strong commitment to rectifying long-standing inequities and injustices faced by First Nations communities.
This funding is crucial for several reasons. First, it provides the necessary resources to improve the supports available for First Nations children and their families. This can lead to significant enhancements in education, healthcare, housing and social services, which are essential for the well-being and development of these communities. By prioritizing prevention rather than apprehension, the reforms aim to keep families together, ensuring that children grow up in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Additionally, this commitment acknowledges the historical and systemic discrimination that First Nations people have endured. By addressing these issues directly, Canada is not only working toward reconciliation but also setting a powerful precedent for other nations. The recognition and rectification of past wrongs are essential steps in building a more equitable society.
Other nations should take note of Canada’s actions and consider similar commitments to their Indigenous populations. The challenges faced by indigenous communities are not unique to Canada; they are a global issue.
By investing in the future of Indigenous children and families, countries can promote healing, foster stronger communities, and ensure a more inclusive and just society for all. This commitment by Canada serves as an exemplary model of how nations can move toward meaningful reconciliation and support for their Indigenous populations.