NEWS

World Uyghur Congress Urges Belgium to Raise Uyghur Genocide
On January 11, the WUC published a press release urging the Belgian leadership to take a firm stance on Uyghur human rights, during their meeting with Xi Jinping this friday. The Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib embarked on a trip to China this week, which includes participating in various meetings alongside CEOs of major Belgian companies and attending the inauguration of the new Belgian Embassy building in Beijing. Additionally, they are scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang on Friday, with the primary focus of their visit being the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries. The Belgian leadership must raise and prioritise discussions on Uyghur forced labour, China’s transnational repression, and the country’s challenges to the global rule of law and democracy. 

“The Uyghur genocide underscores the importance of a critical engagement with Chinese leaders. Belgium should be a leading European country, which strongly confronts the Chinese government on its human rights abuses, and does not continue business as usual,” stated World Uyghur Congress President, Dolkun Isa. 

World Uyghur Congress Signs Treaty of Friendship and Solidarity with The Movement for the Self-determination of Kabylia
On January 5, the President of the World Uyghur Congress, Dolkun Isa, and the Leader of the Movement for the Self-determination of Kabylia (MAK), Mr. Ferhat Mehenni, signed a Treaty of Friendship and Solidarity. The Kabyle people are an ethnic group from Kabylia, a region of northern Algeria and constitute the second-largest subgroup of the Berber people, who are Indigenous people of North Africa. Both parties announced their decision to provide support to each other on media and diplomatic issues, organise cultural exchanges, hold annual meetings, and, in case one of the sides achieves independence for its people, the said party commits to officially recognizing the other party as the sole legitimate representative of its people.

ISHR Compiles All UN Recommendations On Human Rights in China
On January 4, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) published an enormous repository of all recommendations issued by United Nations (UN) bodies, including the UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups, the UN Treaty Bodies, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights since 2018, regarding the human rights situation in China. The compilation includes all the guidance from the UN regarding the situation in East Turkistan, including recommendations to release Uyghur detainees from internment camps and investigate allegations of human rights abuses, such as torture, sexual violence, forced labor, and enforced disappearance. The compilation of recommendations from UN bodies underscores the international community’s ongoing efforts to address these issues and to hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.

New Article on China’s Attempts to Rebrand East Turkistan
On January 7, CBS News published an article about their recent visit to East Turkistan. The tour was organized by the Chinese Information Office, which planned the entire itinerary and assigned its staff to travel with the correspondents. According to the journalists, the region was saturated with numerous surveillance cameras and facial recognition equipment, and it was heavily guarded. The Chinese government orchestrated shows featuring dancing Uyghurs to project an image of happiness and peace among the Uyghur population. The renowned and sacred Id Kakh mosque was reported to be selling tickets to tourists. 

The Chinese government has escalated its financial commitment to East Turkistan, evident in the construction of a high-speed train and investments in infrastructure and tourist development. This strategy appears to be an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing human rights violations and concentration camps in the region. 

PARTICIPATE

Join #InSearchOfMySister Event
Join the film screening of “In Search Of My Sister” organised by Rene Cassin on January 28th. The screening will follow a Q&A with Rushan Abbas. For more information please click the link here. 

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!

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 historic case.