WUC, 8 September 2010

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Mehmet Tohti as WUC’s Special Representative to European Institutions (European Union, European Commission, and European Parliament) and Ms. Kathy Polias  as WUC’s United Nations Liaison.

Mr. Tohti will expand and enhance the advocacy networks that the World Uyghur Congress has built up within the European institutions over the last several years.  Mr. Tohti, a prominent Uyghur human rights activist, was an active member of the Board of Directors of the World Uyghur Congress for several years prior to his appointment as Special Representative.

Ms. Polias served as the UN Liaison for the Uyghur American Association, one of WUC’s member organizations, from November 2009 through June 2010, during which time she utilized the UN mechanisms, particularly the UN Human Rights Council, to promote the Uyghurs’ human rights at the UN.  In June, she was appointed as the UN Liaison of WUC.  In this new capacity, she is continuing as well as expanding on her previous UN advocacy.