Press Statement

18 July 2008

Uyghur Women’s Seminar: Democracy and Human Rights

18 July 2008 – The Uyghurs of East Turkestan, a region in the northwest China, are yet another of the numerous ethnic nationalities within China heavily persecuted by Chinese authorities. Despite widespread oppression, including incidences of harassment, intimidation, repression of religious practices, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial executions, the Uyghur community remains firmly committed to non-violence, as well as to the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy.

Empowering its leaders with the skills necessary to spread the word of the plight of the Uyghurs and to effectively lobby for their cause is a vital aspect of the International Uyghur Human Rights and Democracy Foundation (IUHRDF). The IUHRDF, in cooperation with the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and the Green Party Bavarian Parliament Group, will hold a hands-on women’s leadership training seminar for Uyghur women from 21 – 23 July 2008 in Munich, Germany.

Female activists from across the globe are expected to convene in Munich to attend workshops on effective participation, the role of women in civil society, human rights instruments, democracy promotion, as well as lobbying and advocacy techniques. The training is made possible through the generous financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

President of IUHRDF Ms. Rebiya Kadeer – Rafto Prize laureate, repeated nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and leading Uyghur spokeswoman and activist – will be in attendance to the event, along with Ms. Margarete Bause, Chairwoman of Green Party at the Bavarian Parliament, Mr. Marino Busdachin, Secretary General of UNPO and Mr. Arne Liljedahl Lynngård, Chairman of the Rafto Prize Committee.

For more information on the seminar please contact the Uyghur Human Rights and Democracy Foundation at +01 2023494192 or the World Uyghur Congress at +49 (0)8954321999.