NEWS

East Turkistan National Day
On November 12, the World Uyghur Congress celebrated the East Turkistan National Day together with the Uyghur community. This is an important day, as it refers to the creation of the two independent Republics in 1933 and 1944, which stand as a symbol of the spirit of the Uyghur people and our longing for freedom and democracy. Since the Chinese occupation of East Turkistan in 1949, the human rights situation has worsened dramatically and culminated in the genocide which is happening today.

Since 2017, millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims have been arbitrarily detained in internment camps in East Turkistan, where they are exposed to torture, sexual abuse, and forced labour, amongst other atrocities. This mass detention is part of the Chinese government’s targeted attack on every expression of a distinct Uyghur ethnic identity, including the destruction of mosques, shrines and graveyards, bans on the Uyghur language, and separation of Uyghur children from their families.

The World Uyghur Congress organized a flag-raising ceremony in Munich to remember this important day for the Uyghur community and to show the world that, no matter what, Uyghurs will continue to hold their cultural traditions closely – even more now that they are under threat.

Rahile Dawut honoured with ”Courage to Think” Award 2020
This week, Rahile Dawut was honoured with the “Courage to Think” Award by the New York-based right group Scholars at Risk. The renowned researcher disappeared in August 2018 and is suspected to be among the 1.8 -3 Million Uyghurs in detention camps.  The Award “Freedom to Think 2020: Responding to Attacks on Higher Education” will be accepted by Ms. Dawut’s daughter Akida Polat. 

Uyghur at Risk of Being Deported Back in Saudi Arabia
On November 10, RFA reported that Hamidulla Wali, a Uyghur businessman and resident of Turkey, who was traveling to Saudi Arabia to perform the Muslim Pilgrimage, may face deportation to China by the Saudi Authorities. In February, Mr. Wali was hindered from returning from Saudi Arabia to Turkey due to coronavirus travel restrictions. Recently he learned that the Chinese Authorities made a request to deport him back to East Turkistan.    

Uyghur Organizations Submit Joint Letter to the ILO 
The Uyghur Human Rights Project, Uyghur American Association, and the World Uyghur Congress have sent a letter to the International Labour Organization (ILO), urging Director General Guy Ryder, to speak out forcefully against widespread Uyghur forced labor. The Uyghur groups are asking the ILO Governing Body to pass a resolution condemning China’s violation of its convention obligations.

WUC Representatives Meet with U.S. Government Representatives
On November 10, WUC President, Dolkun Isa,  and WUC staff members met with U.S. State Department Counselor T. Ulrich Brechbuhl and U.S. Consul General in Munich Meghan Gregonis to discuss the genocide committed by the Chinese government against the Uyghurs and the appropriate responses. 

PARTICIPATE 

Support the Uyghur Tribunal
The Uyghur Tribunal, launched in September to investigate ongoing crimes committed by the CCP against the Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic groups, has launched its crowdfunding campaign. The Uyghur Tribunal is one of the most valuable initiatives to address the Uyghur plight. Your contributions make a real difference; act now by donating here!

Campaign for Uyghurs Side Event on the Uyghur Genocide 
Please join the “Uyghur Genocide: From Ideological Sinicization to Forced Labor”, a side event hosted by Campaigns for Uyghurs & World Uyghur Congress for the U.S. Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hosted by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 16. Please register here!