For immediate release
20 May 2016
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
0049 (0) 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

All those at the World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur community are deeply saddened by the passing of Marco Pannella. Pannella was a consistent champion of Uyghur rights and the rights of oppressed and unrepresented peoples around the world.

Pannella maintained a close connection with members of the Uyghur community and was a staunch supporter of the Uyghur struggle for freedom and democracy. The Italian politician was the leader of Italy’s Radical Party (later the Transnational Radical Party) and was instrumental in campaigns for social rights including for the legalisation of divorce and abortion as well as against the use of the death penalty.

Mr. Pannella was a good friend of the Uyghur community and his death marks a significant loss for all those who grew to admire and appreciate his benevolence and selfless spirit.