NEWS 

The World Uyghur Congress’s International Conference and 7th General Assembly in Prague
The World Uyghur Congress’s (WUC) 7th General Assembly (12th-14th November)  started with a day-long international conference (12th November), “Uyghur Rights: The Road Towards Accountability”, which brought together survivors of China’s camps, leading academics and legal experts, as well as diplomats, policymakers and government representatives. The panels featured survivors testimonies, policy approaches toward the Uyghur genocide, legal means to hold perpetrators accountable, and the research practices that have been essential to exposing the Uyghur genocide. The series of different events was open with a welcome reception and dinner featuring a book fair and exhibition on the Uyghur genocide. On November 12, the Mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib hosted a dinner reception for the World Uyghur Congress and its international guests.

On November 13th, the WUC elected a new leadership. 204 delegates from over 25 countries casted their votes for the WUC’s 16 different committees and boards, including its presidency. 137 votes were casted in person, 67 were casted online. Former WUC President Dolkun Isa was re-elected for another 3-year term. See the new leadership list here.

Parallel to the WUC’s international conference and 7th General Assembly the “Uyghur Days in Czechia” took place including a series of events on the situation in East Turkistan.

WUC President met with Deputy of the Mayor of Paris
On November 16th, WUC President Dolkun Isa met with Jean-Luc Romero, Deputy of the Mayor of Paris, to discuss steps how to adress the Uyghur genocide. 

A couple of days before their meeting, the City Halls of Paris and Charleroi, as well as the Atomium in Brussels were lit in blue to show support to the Uyghur people and to call on the Chinese government to free Uyghurs, on East Turkistan National Day.

Global Alarm At China INTERPOL Election-BID
On November 15th, Parliamentarians and activists from around the world launched a global campaign to oppose China’s candidacy of Hu Binchen to the INTERPOL Executive Committee at its General Assembly session later this month. 50 legislators from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) have penned a joint letter to their governments raising alarm as the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) moves to gain influence over the global policing body. The letter references recent attempts by the Chinese government to use the INTERPOL Red Notice system to target Uyghur activists living in exile and argues that Hu Binchen’s election would give Beijing a ‘green light’ to continue using INTERPOL as “a vehicle for the PRC government’s repressive policies.”

New Report Reveals Involvement of 103 Leading Brands in Uyghur Forced Labour
On November 17th, new research by Professor Laura Murphy reveals that 103 leading brands as well as retailers are at extraordinarily high risk of using cotton from the Uyghur Region tainted with Uyghur forced labour. Her report shines a light on how cotton and cotton-based goods produced with Uyghur forced labour find their way into international supply chains. 

Since January, there has been an outright US government ban on the import of any product containing cotton from the Uyghur Region. Any company still using Uyghur Region cotton would be in violation of this law. 

On Friday, November 19, a press conference was held on the importance of this report and what it means to the global corporate world, which featured Dr. Murphy, WUC Program & Advocacy Manager, Zumretay Arkin and Chloe Cranston, Business and Human Rights Manager at Anti-Slavery International. 

WUC President speaks at Halifax International Security Forum in Canada
On November 18, WUC President, Dolkun Isa, was invited to speak during the 13th Annual Halifax International Security Forum Public Panel. Mr. Isa called was calling on the international community to take more firmer stronger actions to end the Uyghur Genocide. Furthermore he stated, that “All human beings have an obligation to boycott the Beijing Olympics – some have a legal obligation and some have a moral obligation”.

Marriott Hotel Refuses to Host WUC’s 7th General Assembly Over ‘’Political Neutrality’’ Policy
On November 18, Axios reported that the American hotel chain, Marriott hotel in Prague refused to accommodate the World Uyghur Congress for its international conference and 7th General Assembly, citing ‘’political neutrality’’ policy. 

This comes as China’s interference and influence over foreign corporations’ businesses grow, as these corporations have important access to the Chinese market. 

WUC Program & Advocacy Manager told Axios: “We organize international events all the time and this is the first time we were given this excuse… It is chilling because of the broader concept of how China is really disrupting Western democracies.’’

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Uyghur Tribunal Judgement in London
On December 9th, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC will deliver the Uyghur Tribunal’s judgment. Tickets for in-person attendance can be booked here.