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

From May 3-6, the World Uyghur Congress will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its establishment, marking a pivotal milestone in the organisation’s history. Two decades ago, amid a period of global unrest, the WUC was founded, emerging as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of daunting challenges for the Uyghur people.

“As we commemorate twenty years of relentless dedication and strategic activism, the World Uyghur Congress has risen to be a significant voice in the international arena, successfully placing the Uyghur cause at the centre of global discussions,” said World Uyghur Congress President, Dolkun Isa. “This significant accomplishment stands as a testament to the invaluable support and unity of our allies, which have been crucial in our pursuit of liberty and respect.”

On April 16, 2004, the WUC was established in Munich, Germany, after the East Turkistan National Congress and the World Uyghur Youth Congress merged into one united organisation. Through conducting various awareness-raising and advocacy campaigns on the human rights situation of Uyghurs, the WUC engages with national governments, civil society, EU and UN human rights mechanisms, including the active engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, to promote democracy, human rights, and freedom for the Uyghur people in East Turkistan and across the diaspora.

In the past 20 years the WUC has achieved significant successes to bring the human rights abuses and genocide of the Uyghur people to the international arena. In 2021, the Uyghur Tribunal passed its landmark judgement concluding that the Chinese government’s atrocities against the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. Following this, 11 national parliaments/senates and one government have adopted resolutions recognising the Uyghur genocide. The WUC has also trained many Uyghur youth in international advocacy, social media and communications, and digital security. As a result of our consistent advocacy and efforts, the WUC has been nominated twice to the Nobel Peace Prize, in 2023 and 2024.

To honour the significant contributions of the Uyghur community, devoted supporters, and international partners, the WUC will hold celebrations in Munich, Germany, a significant centre for the Uyghur diaspora in Germany and across Europe. The 20th anniversary will feature various panel discussions, speeches, networking, and cultural events, which will not only commemorate the historical struggles of the Uyghur people but also embody the continued dedication to the quest for freedom and human rights for the Uyghurs. The WUC will be joined by around 300 participants including Uyghur activists, community leaders, camp survivors, allies and friends, high level government officials, and civil society representatives from more than 25 countries.