De Minimis
  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • Podcast
  • Your Learned Friend
  • Anonymous Feedback
  • Art
  • Get published!
  • Constitution
  • Archive
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2017 >
      • Semester 2 (Volume 12) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8 (election issue)
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
    • 2016 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 9) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
      • Semester 2 (Volume 10) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8 (Election Issue)
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
        • Issue 13 (test)
    • 2015 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 7) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
      • Semester 2 (Volume 8) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
    • 2014 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 5) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
      • Semester 2 (Volume 6) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 12
    • 2013 >
      • Issue 1
      • Issue 2
      • Issue 3
      • Issue 4
      • Issue 5
      • Issue 6
    • 2012 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 1) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
      • Semester 2 (Volume 2) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12

There are Some Things Worth Dying for

4/8/2020

 
Issue 1, Volume 18

OSCAR KESWANI

At the end of 1945, the world watched in shock, as Allied troops liberated the Nazi concentration camps used to house Jews and other ‘undesirables’. The emaciated, sickly figures emerging from internment horrified the world. Yet more horrifying, were those who were never to re-emerge from Nazi captivity, their bodies packed into mass graves, or their ashes tainting the air of Eastern Europe.
Picture
Alleged Uyghur "re-education" camp located in Dabencheng, Xinjiang. (Source: Google Earth)
Some of the most enduring images of the Holocaust, and some of the most chilling, were photographs of mounds of human hair, shorn from prisoners as they entered the camps. Shaving the hair of prisoners helped to maintain their hygiene, and break their spirits. However, for many Jews, it also served a special purpose, as it prevented them from adhering to the requirements of their religion. Shaving was a spiritual blow.

In the wake of this singular tragedy, the civilised world set itself a grave commitment: never again. 

Never again would the world watch on, as genocide destroyed a people. Never again would we stand idle, when we witnessed crimes of such horror, such utter barbarity, that to suffer them was to sacrifice a part of our very humanity.

The world has not always lived up to this ideal. Shamefully, the scourge of genocide has not yet been wiped from the Earth. We failed the Tutsis of Rwanda, the Kurds of Iraq, the minority populations of the former Yugoslavia, and others. Of the Tutsis alone, some eight-hundred-thousand men, women, and children were butchered. Our collective failure to prevent these atrocities stains us all, and the road to absolution is a long one. Never again, we promised ourselves, and we must never again allow ourselves to be complacent about this promise.

However, as soul-crushingly devastating as each of these catastrophes were, they are all dwarfed by the scale of the latest disaster, unfolding at this very moment.

In a chilling echo of the shorn Jews in Nazi custody, US customs last month seized over twelve tonnes of human hair. Bound for American wig shops, this hair had originated in Western China. It had been forcibly removed from Uyghur prisoners in Chinese labour camps, and likely manufactured into wigs by those same detainees.

This is far from the worst treatment meted out to the Uyghurs, an ethnic and religious minority in China. Up to one million people have been loaded onto trains, and now languish in ‘education’ camps run by the Chinese Government, where they are brainwashed into worshipping Xi Jinping and the Communist Party. Many are forced to labour as slaves, manufacturing goods for export. Families are separated as a matter of course, and untold numbers of children have been ripped from their parents, to be raised in Party-run facilities. 

Darker details of the Uyghur plight have also begun to filter out into the world. Prisoners have reported torture, both physical and psychological. Some have reported having their organs forcibly harvested, an accusation consistent with credible allegations of Chinese forced organ harvesting of another religious minority – Falun Gong practitioners. Women have reported being forced to have abortions, and being forcibly sterilised. 

These atrocities are designed with one goal in mind: the erasure of the Uyghur people. In other words, genocide.

These crimes are bad enough, but need we wait for the other shoe to drop? The Nazis, after all, did not start out murdering Jews. Initially, they were merely interned, and forced to work. So too, were Cambodians under the Khmer Rouge. The spectre of Death is shadowing Western China, and it is incumbent upon the world to exorcise it.

Naturally, Chinese apologists have some well-worn rebuttals to criticisms coming from Australian mouths. What right do we have, many ask, to criticise China fighting ‘Islamist terrorism’, as Australia herself has done aggressively these past two decades? This argument is so facile as to be laughable. Perhaps, Western countries might have had more success fighting domestic terrorism by rounding up every member of certain groups, and torturing them. However, such a move is so utterly evil, that its consideration has not even merited discussion. The Communist Party has made that nightmare a reality.  

Some Party apologists are even so bold as to claim that Australian border protection policies preclude us from commenting on the situation. It is truly astonishing that proponents of such a flagrant false-equivalence can speak with straight faces. Of course, both things can be true. Australia can be violating the human rights of several hundred offshore detainees, and China can be enslaving over one million people, stealing their organs, and destroying their reproductive systems. The comparison is utterly transparent in its disingenuousness. 

So too, is the argument heard from many Australian business people and political leaders, that we simply rely on China too heavily to take a stand on this issue. That, allow me to be blunt, our mining incomes, and the presence of cheap plastic crap on supermarket shelves, means that we should turn a blind eye to the very worst crimes humans are capable of committing. 

Australia, and every single Australian, including the members of this law school, must take a stand on this issue. Whether that means boycotting Chinese goods, or pressuring our political leaders to sanction China, we mustn’t slip into apathetic complacency. To do so is to sell out our humanity for a short-term economic gain. Chinese economic largess in Australia won’t last forever. The black mark on our moral pride, however, is eternal. 

Standing against the Chinese Communist Party will have consequences. There will be retaliation from the butchers in Beijing, whether it be diplomatic, economic, or even an armed confrontation. However, we should weather it safe in the knowledge that we are doing the morally right thing. Some things simply must be done, no matter the cost. There are some things worth sacrificing for. There are some things, even, worth dying for. To prevent a genocide is emphatically one of those things.

Oscar Keswani is the pseudonym of a JD student.


tks
5/8/2020 08:55:59 pm

Extremely important De Min article. What is happening to the Uyghurs is a Holocaust.

History...
5/8/2020 10:19:58 pm

Really is repeating itself 😔

winston
5/8/2020 10:56:09 pm

The sad fact is that WW2 started because Germany invaded Poland. If they had kept their genocide within their own borders it is likely the rest of the world would have done nothing, most people really don't care about things that don't affect them.

Should pick Advocacy as an elective
6/8/2020 12:41:54 am

No offence, just purely curious, firstly, could we have some evidences on the “torture and slavery”? Like the standard for evidence for the courts, not photoshopped pics of T-shirt label stating “this is made from Chinese slaves” which was (maybe even “languagbly” using the author’s tone) posted on twitter by the US embassy. Secondly, “Chinese apologists have some well-worn rebuttals to criticisms coming from Australian mouths. What right do we have, many ask, to criticise China fighting ‘Islamist terrorism’, as Australia herself has done aggressively these past two decades? This argument is so facile as to be laughable.” Could the author elaborate why this perspective is laughable? Lastly, again no offence, could we know a bit more on why “every single Australian should pick a side”? Pure curiosities, sorry.

Do you read the news?
6/8/2020 04:12:16 am

Have you not heard the countless stories from Uygurs who have escaped, spoken out and had their family's gone missing? Or are they all lying? The satellite images of compounds aren't enough for you? The QCs bringing a case at the ICC against China seem to be satisfied on the facts - why are you any different?

Fake News
6/8/2020 09:14:31 am

Do you know any Uygur people? Have you talked to them directly? Do you really know what happened to this region ? Do you know the self-immolation incident and the terrorism happened in this place? You can’t just rely on one-side story to try to prove it is always the truth. In terms of Fa Lun Gong, I know more details than you. So just do the research before give a conclusion.

Oscar K
6/8/2020 01:51:57 pm

Hi,

Thank you for reading my article. For evidence of the torture and human rights abuses being perpetrated in Xinjiang, please refer to the following sources:

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/02/20/more-evidence-chinas-horrific-abuses-xinjiang

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53650246

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/26/what-has-happened-to-me-manga-depicting-uighur-torture-hits-25m-views

Even if you don't trust the news media, one of those sources is Human Rights Watch, an organisation that frequently criticises Western governments as well as China.

The comparison between the so-called War on Terror (which I am also an opponent of) and the Uyghur Genocide is specious because the WoT does not seek to erase a culture (i.e. it is not a genocide).

I did not say that every Australian should 'pick a side' as you claim, as this is not some conflict between countries. Rather, I said all Australians should take a stand, and do the only thing that is right when faced with great evil.

I hope that helps, and I thank you for approaching this article with an open mind.

JD student
8/8/2020 01:33:41 am

I just want to applaud the author for standing up for the cause. As more comments from both sides are expected to flow in
I also want to point out, perhaps something obvious, but often forgotten in these sorts of debate.

Not all Chinese students are supportive of the CCP regime or their policies regarding the issue or even HK. But the reality is that their precarious situation make them unable to openly criticize their own government.

Obviously, this means the most vocal Chinese students you hear are those who are devoted to CCP.

Pure Aussie
6/8/2020 01:41:01 am

I am 100% voting for you mate. I can prove that whatever you said is absolutely correct and accurate according to my extensive research.

To my observation, you have possessed an extraordinary ability of fact checking, taking different perspectives and reasoning that can beat most of the law school students here.

You must have a good relationship with the PRC students here or I cannot imagine how you can present nothing but truth - they all inside info which cannot be easily accessed by anyone but those kids from corruptive & filthy rich families.

You know what? What Fa Lungong presented is also undoubtedly credible as ABC has made a program to reveal how much good deeds it have been doing here. They are trustworthy person saving families and youngsters - unlike CCP.

Totally agree that there will be consequences if we contend BJ. It will be like how Lebanon got the consequence today because it ignored the warning from Dorothy Shea. Genocide!

I believe you will be the first who volunteer to suffer if that day really comes? For all of our fellow Australians, will you? Or are you still using your parents' or taxpayer's CSP? Don't worry... Your quality will be absolutely appreciated by IPAC as well! By the way, James & Andrew will love to hear from you too!

You are a real Australian, real human rights fighter! I am crying and praying for your kind and humane heart. Everything you are advocating is about understanding, diversity and the development of a loving human society.

Confused
6/8/2020 04:09:21 am

What the hell does this comment mean?

Haruki
6/8/2020 10:13:47 am

Some Chinese students lose their minds if you point out the evil stuff their government does

AL
6/8/2020 01:42:25 pm

I see sarcasm is another art strangled in its crib by the CCP.

Amusing
8/8/2020 01:50:17 am

I often find it extremely amusing that people like the commentator are especially critical to western media biases, but loving CCP state controlled media, finding them unproblematic.

Like mate, I agree with you about taking news sources with a grain of salts but do you practice that? Just a bit rich that is all.

What grants PRC students a better understanding on the developments around the issue of Falungong or Uighur people? Is trusting your governmental news source or censored online platforms a way better option?

Before you attacking Australian students, know that most people acknowledge that some major Australian media outlets are controlled by a very rich individuals. Hence, they know when to seek for independent news source and information beyond the ones presented to them. When is the last time you have done so?

AUG
6/8/2020 06:35:37 pm

Uyghurs are as much an 'imaginary' enemy for the CCP as CCP is for the western media. And the sad truth is that your enemy has to be pure evil in your own narrative.

gua
6/8/2020 10:14:34 pm

yeah that must be why the western media locked the CCP in a concentration camp, both sides are really evil :)

AUG
7/8/2020 12:24:09 am

Sorry if I misled you. I was just pointing out how CCP learnt this trick and use it as an excuse to abuse the power (the power which the western media sadly does not have to abuse on the almighty CCP, just like you said).

East Turkistan
7/8/2020 03:57:42 pm

The situation of Uyghurs confirms:
- Western societies and states have no interest in in promoting or protecting human rights
- western societies and states only talk about human rights when it suits their neo-colonial and imperialistic designs

Nevertheless:
My belief is that Muslim societies and groups are extremely resilient. Any student of history knows that irregardless of the dire circumstances they often find themselves in, they almost always outlast their belligerents. Similar policies of forced assimilation were used by the USSR and communist states in Eastern Europe, however, today you can read about the Soviet Union at your nearby library or even take a major on “Leninism-Marxism” as part of your Arts undergrads because it is NON-EXISTENT yet Islamic traditions are seeing a revival throughout the former Soviet republics (i.e Central Asia) and countries like Bosnia, Albania etc.

When the Uyghurs and their associates respond to the CCP atrocities (just a matter of time) the west will be the first to label them “terrorists”


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

  • Home
  • ABOUT US
  • Podcast
  • Your Learned Friend
  • Anonymous Feedback
  • Art
  • Get published!
  • Constitution
  • Archive
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2017 >
      • Semester 2 (Volume 12) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8 (election issue)
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
    • 2016 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 9) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
      • Semester 2 (Volume 10) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8 (Election Issue)
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
        • Issue 13 (test)
    • 2015 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 7) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
      • Semester 2 (Volume 8) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
    • 2014 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 5) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
      • Semester 2 (Volume 6) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 12
    • 2013 >
      • Issue 1
      • Issue 2
      • Issue 3
      • Issue 4
      • Issue 5
      • Issue 6
    • 2012 >
      • Semester 1 (Volume 1) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12
      • Semester 2 (Volume 2) >
        • Issue 1
        • Issue 2
        • Issue 3
        • Issue 4
        • Issue 5
        • Issue 6
        • Issue 7
        • Issue 8
        • Issue 9
        • Issue 10
        • Issue 11
        • Issue 12