China allegedly blocked forum on authoritarianism in Argentina, organizers claim

An event focused on 21st-century authoritarian regimes was suspended in Buenos Aires, sparking accusations of censorship from organizers who allege direct pressure from the Chinese government.

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The embassy of the People's Republic of China pressured the Foreign Ministry, which gave an order to the Legislature of the City for the conference not to take place.

The Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America (CADAL) organized the forum, which was scheduled to feature Dolkun Isa, a prominent Uyghur activist and critic of the Chinese government. CADAL's director, Gabriel Salvia, stated, "The embassy of the People's Republic of China pressured the Foreign Ministry, which gave an order to the Legislature of the City for the conference not to take place." Salvia asserted that Isa's presentation was the specific reason for the "censorship."

However, sources within the Buenos Aires Legislature offered a different explanation, attributing the suspension to "formal issues" and stating that "administrative requirements for booking the venue were not met." This contradicts CADAL's account, which claims the event had been held annually since 2011, including at the Legislature itself last year.

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The administrative requirements for booking the venue were not met.

Dolkun Isa, former president of the World Uyghur Congress, resides in exile in Germany and actively advocates for the rights of the Uyghur population. The Uyghurs, a Muslim ethnic minority primarily in China's Xinjiang region, have faced harsh security policies from Beijing, which cites combating "terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism" as justification.

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His presentation was the reason for the censorship.