Press Release – For Immediate Release 
30 September 2024 
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
+49 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

On the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) calls on the international community to take sustained action and show solidarity with Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans, and Southern Mongolians who are facing severe human rights abuses, including genocide, transnational repression, cultural assimilation, and religious persecution. The WUC will furthermore alongside Uyghur, Tibetan, Hongkongers, Southern Mongolians and Chinese human right defenders in cities from around the world, including in Germany and the United Kingdom hold joint protests and raise awareness of China’s repression. 

Since its founding in 1949, the PRC has occupied East Turkistan and repressed its people. While the Chinese government celebrates the establishment of the PRC, October 1 symbolises the loss of freedom and human rights for Uyghurs. “Today marks an important moment to stand united against the PRC and its brutal repression of our fundamental human rights,” said Dr. Erkin Ekrem, Interim President of WUC. “For the past 75 years, China has maintained a brutal regime that systematically violates the rights of millions, eroding our cultural and religious identity and silencing dissent.”

China has continued to escalate its human rights violations and dismiss the UN human rights system, showing no sign of adhering to international laws. This is further demonstrated by its rejection of 30% of the recommendations during the UN Universal Periodic Review. Yet, global leaders continue to increase their openness towards the PRC, even as we approached the second anniversary of the OHCHR assessment on Uyghurs, which concluded that the abuses in East Turkistan “may constitute international crimes, particularly crimes against humanity.”

WUC also urges the Chinese government to release the millions of Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic people arbitrarily detained in camps, and to end the genocidal policies in East Turkistan.

It is high time for the international community to establish clear and measurable goals for its engagement with China, focusing on specific outcomes aimed at driving positive changes in the country’s human rights practices. This involves not only holding the Chinese government accountable for its actions but also prioritising the implementation of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities complicit in genocide. The WUC further calls on the international community to support the self-determination rights of the Uyghur people to determine their own political future. 

Lastly, the WUC, calls for sustained engagement in dialogue with civil society organisations and affected communities, which can help ensure that policies are informed by those directly impacted by China’s repression.