The Prague Marriott cited “politically neutral reasons” for its decision to refuse to host the World Uyghur Congress, according to an email first reported by Axios.
“We are working with the hospitality team to provide additional training and education on our longstanding inclusion practices,” said Marriott.
Marriott confirmed that last month, Prague Marriott emailed the operations team explaining that the conference scheduled for November would not be held at this location – after consulting with management. company manager.
“Sorry, I have to inform you that we are unable to provide a location. We have consulted the entire matter with our company’s management. For reasons of political neutrality. , we cannot offer events of this type with a political theme,” the email said.
Marriott International told CNN it was a “hotel-level decision” and referenced “corporate management” referring to the management of hotels in Prague.
Activists found Marriott’s response “chilling to the bone.”
Based in Germany, the World Uyghur Congress includes Uyghur exiles and people seeking to bring attention to allegations of genocide in China’s Xinjiang region. An independent report by more than 50 global experts published in March found that the Chinese government is “responsible at the state level for an ongoing genocide of the Uyghurs” in violation of the Convention on the Extermination of Uyghurs. strain of the United Nations.
Chinese state media have called the World Uyghur Congress a terrorist group. China also denies human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet, calling the genocide allegations “absurd”.
In an interview with Axios, Arkin said Marriott’s response was “shocking”.
“We hold international events all the time and this is the first time we have been given this excuse,” Arkin told Axios. “It’s chilling because of the broader concept of how China is actually disrupting Western democracies.”
In its statement to CNN, Marriott said it is committed to “giving a warm welcome to all.”
“We are in the hospitality business, welcoming people from all over the world and from all walks of life representing many faiths,” the company said.
The incident is Marriott’s latest misstep involving China, a large and fast-growing market for the hotel chain.
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