NEWS

Uyghur Deaths in Urumchi Fire Spark Nationwide Protests in China
On November 26th, the World Uyghur Congress expressed outrage over the lack of action from local authorities following the fire that broke out in a building in Urumchi on November 24th evening in the Tengritagh neighbourhood. The fire started on the 15th floor of an apartment building, quickly spreading to upper levels killing and injuring dozens of people, including children. This triggered angry protests that raged overnight in the capital of East Turkistan and spread to other cities in China, as crowds blamed tight COVID-19 lockdown measures for delaying the response. 

“The Uyghur community is extremely distressed after hearing the horrific news of numerous families losing their lives in the fire,” said WUC President, Dolkun Isa. “The fact is that the Chinese government has absolutely no mercy and the local authorities are completely ignoring the needs and demands of the Uyghur people, therefore they have not promptly acted to extinguish the blaze. This callous disregard for Uyghur lives is characteristic of the Chinese regime which has utilized Covid lockdowns as a tool to continue their genocide of Uyghurs.”

In response to the events, the WUC organised and joined the Uyghur community in several protests to demand transparency and a prompt reaction from the Chinese government to end the harsh lockdowns in East Turkistan.

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Uyghur Policy Act
On December 1st, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Uyghur Policy Act, which authorizes the establishment of a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Issues as a new position within the U.S. government. The WUC has welcomed its passing as “a show of the incredible support that Uyghurs are receiving from U.S. lawmakers to end the ongoing genocide. “The loss of Uyghur lives during the Urumqi fire has reminded us that more action is needed to address the situation. This Bill is a clear example of such action,” WUC President Dolkun Isa stated.

WUC Continues Advocacy Tour in Australia
On November 28th, as part of the ongoing visit of a WUC delegation to Australia,  camp survivors, WUC Program and Advocacy Manager Zumretay Arkin and President of AUTWA, Ramila Chanisheff, joined a panel discussion organised by the New South Wales Anti-Slavery Commissioner and Human Rights Law Centre on Uyghur Forced Labour. In the evening, the Australian Uyghur Association hosted a discussion with camp survivors, President Dolkun Isa and the Executive Chairman Omer Kanat.

On November 29, the delegation spoke at the South Australian parliament, followed by a protest to mourn the victims of the Urumqi Fire. In the evening, the delegation joined a community event hosted by the East Turkistan Australian Association. On November 30, the delegates took part in a roundtable with scholars and academics, followed by a discussion on Uyghur Forced Labour at the University of South Australia.

PARTICIPATE

Support Uyghurs’ Genocide & Crimes Against Humanity Case in Argentina
The World Uyghur Congress and the Uyghur Human Rights Project have launched a criminal case in the courts of Argentina in relation to the international crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity being committed against the Uyghur people. Please donate and be a part of this historical case.

Ask Volkswagen to Close its Plant in East Turkistan
Despite growing evidence of the ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs, Volkswagen continues to operate in East Turkistan. The World Uyghur Congress is collecting signatures to demand Volkswagen to close down its plant in Urumqi. Please sign here.