WHO ARE THE UYGHURS?
Uyghurs (or Uighurs, Uygurs) are ethnically and culturally a Turkic people living in the areas of Central Asia commonly known as East Turkistan. Today, Uyghurs practice a moderate form of Islam and lead predominantly secular lives. There are an estimated more than 20 million Uyghurs living in East Turkistan and abroad, though Chinese sources put the number at 12 million.
WHERE IS EAST TURKISTAN?
East Turkistan, situated in the heart of Asia and lying on the fabled ancient Silk Road, is the historical homeland of the Turkic-speaking Uyghurs and other Central Asian peoples. East Turkistan has effectively been occupied by China since 1949. East Turkistan neighbors nine countries – Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Tibet & China.
WHAT IS THE UYGHUR CONFLICT?
Under decades of repressive rule, the existence of the Uyghur nation is under threat as the Chinese government continues to carry out deliberate policies opposing centuries-old tradition, culture & religion. Human rights violations remain pervasive including persecution on cultural and religious grounds, arbitrary arrests and the silencing of peaceful dissent.
Uyghur Tribunal
The Uyghur Tribunal was an independent “people’s tribunal” based in the United Kingdom aiming to examine evidence regarding the ongoing human rights abuses against the Uyghur people by the Government of China and to evaluate whether the abuses constitute genocide under the Genocide Convention.
International Uyghur Forum
The Forum aims to provide a global response to the genocide policy of the Chinese administration against Uyghurs and the people in East Turkestan by bringing together international academics, lawyers, politicians, civil society members and Uyghur representatives.
Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day
The Uyghur Human Rights Project, the Uyghur American Association, and the World Uyghur Congress are marking December 9 as Uyghur Genocide Recognition day. It is the 2nd anniversary of the finding of genocide by the Uyghur Tribunal, and the 75th anniversary of the Genocide Convention.
