More than fifty Irish faith leaders -- including several Catholic figures -- have signed a statement condemning the persecution of the Uyghurs and other Muslims in Xinjiang, China, where it has been widely reported that no fewer than a million Uyghur and other Muslims are confined to internment camps and set to labour as slaves. They are are facing starvation, torture, murder, and systematic sexual violence. There are reports of forced organ extraction.

"Outside the camps," the statement reads, "basic religious freedom is denied. Mosques are destroyed, children are separated from their families, and acts as simple as owning a Holy Quran, praying or fasting can result in arrest."