China’s Strict Travel Rules for Uyghurs Draw Condemnation for Rights Violations

Human Rights Watch reports China restricts Uyghurs’ freedom of movement, despite easing some travel bans, prompting concerns over human rights violations and international law breaches.

China is violating Uyghurs’ right to freedom of movement by enforcing strict travel restrictions for those who travel, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released on Monday, according to Jurist News. This comes despite a partial easing of travel bans.

Although some Uyghurs have recently been allowed to obtain passports, HRW researcher Yalkun Uluyol emphasizes that the Chinese government still denies many their right to leave the country and punishes them for foreign ties. The report highlights that Uyghurs seeking to travel abroad must provide a purpose for their trip, an invitation from family, and documentation, while facing potential punishment for non-compliance. Criticism of China is prohibited during their travels, especially in Islamic nations.

HRW insists that these measures violate international law and urges the Chinese government to cease its oppressive actions against the Uyghur diaspora. The U.S. Bureau of International Labor Affairs has categorized China’s treatment of Uyghurs as genocidal, with reports indicating that up to one million have been detained in camps since 2017, often subjected to forced labor and denied fair trials.

In January 2025, HRW reported on 48 Uyghur men at risk of severe mistreatment if deported from Thailand to China. The UN has called for an immediate halt to these deportations, citing risks of torture. Additionally, a UK activist group has urged against the approval of Shein’s London listing due to alleged forced labor in its supply chains.