Research by a Heritage Foundation scholar helped lead the U.S. State Department to make an official determination of genocide and crimes against humanity enacted by the Chinese Communist Party.  

Olivia Enos, a senior policy analyst in Heritage’s Asian Studies Center, has been leading the charge against the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing human rights abuses against the Muslim majority Uighur population in Xinjiang, and her work has been cited numerous times by government and media outlets. 

In a recent letter to the State Department, members of the House Armed Services Committee referenced a September 2020 report by Enos. The letter cited a section of Enos’ report stating that “the CCP intends to target Uighurs on ‘both religious and ethnic grounds.’” 

“Given the gravity of the situation facing Uighurs in China, the U.S. should act swiftly to issue an atrocity determination,” argues Enos. “In addition to raising the profile of the human rights violations taking place, such a determination sends a clear message to the Uighur people that the U.S. government cares and will take action to preserve their fundamental rights even, and especially, when the Chinese government refuses to do so.” 

In her role at Heritage, Enos hosts a podcast dedicated to shining a light on the atrocities perpetrated by the Chinese government. In the first episode of “China Uncovered,” she interviewed Dr. Adrian Zenz, who highlighted the deplorable treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang.  

Enos has consistently used the word “genocide” to describe the horrors inflicted on the Uighurs. In an October interview with the “Fox News Rundown” podcast, Enos stated, “It's definitely time to shine a spotlight and make clear to the Chinese Communist Party that they're not going to get away with carrying out genocide and crimes against humanity.” 

“I’m incredibly pleased that the State Department has taken this step to formally recognize the genocide and crimes against humanity perpetuated by the Chinese Communist Party and their inhumane actions in Xinjiang,” said Enos upon learning of the determination. “This is an opportunity for U.S. leadership, demonstrating that we are not afraid to call a spade a spade and that we are ready to protect and preserve the human rights of the Chinese people even when their own government fails to do so.” 

For more information on Heritage’s policy on the crisis in Xinjiang, click here.