For immediate release
11 May 2009
Contact:Uyghur American Association, Tel (Washington): +1 202-349-1496
World Uyghur Congress, Tel (Munich): +49 89 54321999
Email: [email protected]

On behalf of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), the Uyghur American Association would like to announce the convening of the Third General Assembly of the WUC in Washington, DC from Thursday, May 21 to Monday, May 25. Also in Washington, DC, the WUC, in conjunction with the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), will host a seminal human rights conference focused on East Turkestan entitledEast Turkestan: 60 Years under Communist Chinese Rule, from Monday, May 18 to Tuesday, May 19.

During the week beginning Monday, May 18, officially designated by the WUC as “Uyghur Week”, WUC delegates, Uyghur human right activists, government officials, legislators and academics from the U.S. and from countries around the world will attend these two important events.

Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, Uyghur democracy leader and WUC president, said “Uyghur Week in Washington, DC is a milestone for the Uyghur people as they aspire for human rights, democracy and freedom in East Turkestan. The opening of the World Uyghur Congress Third General Assembly at the U.S. Capitol has profound historical significance and symbolism; Uyghurs across the world look to the United States and its representatives as leaders in the struggle against tyranny and repression. Accordingly, members of the U.S. Senate and House,  as well as dignitaries, prominent human rights defenders, and leaders of the Tibetan and Chinese communities will address Uyghur congressional delegates and their supporters from around the world.”

East Turkestan: 60 Years under Communist Chinese Rule is being generously hosted by NED at:

The conference looks to assess the past and present Uyghur condition under Chinese Communist Party rule, and to offer solutions on the future of East Turkestan. Topics to be covered during the two-day event include discussions on autonomy, religious freedom and the “War on Terror”. Registration begins at 10 a.m. on May 18. Members of media are welcome to attend the conference.

On Thursday, May 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., an opening ceremony will be held in advance of the WUC Third General Assembly. The venue for the opening ceremony is the United States Capitol Building, Congressional Meeting Room South. On Tuesday, May 26 from 12 noon to 3 p.m., after the conclusion of the WUC Third General Assembly, the WUC is planning to hold a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. Again members of the media are welcome to attend both events. Journalists wishing to attend the event in the United States Capitol Building can obtain clearance from the following:

Radio/TV

Olga Ramirez Kornacki

Additionally, on Wednesday, May 20 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Human Rights Watch is hosting a panel discussion on Ms. Rebiya Kadeer’s recently published autobiography, Dragon Fighter: One Woman’s Epic Struggle for Peace with China, and on current Uyghur human rights issues at their offices, which are located at:

Dragon Fighter details Ms. Kadeer’s exceptional life as a self-made millionaire and philanthropist turned political prisoner and later exiled activist; against the backdrop of decades of tumultuous political and social changes in East Turkestan, it also chronicles the experiences of the Uyghur population under the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Dragon Fighter: One Woman’s Epic Struggle for Peace with China is now available in bookstores, and may be ordered onlinehere.