NEWS

World Uyghur Congress Faces Threats and Harassment Ahead of 8th General Assembly
On October 18, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) published a press release detailing a series of escalating threats and harassment from the Chinese Embassy in Sarajevo, occurring ahead of the WUC’s 8th General Assembly in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The WUC has become the target of a coordinated and aggressive campaign that has reached an unprecedented scale, involving attacks and incidents aimed at its members, staff, and delegates. The Chinese Embassy in Sarajevo has applied intense pressure, urging local authorities to cancel the event and threatening the arrest of WUC delegates, including former president Dolkun Isa. Additionally, staged car accidents were cited as intimidation tactics.

The harassment extended to digital interference when the WUC’s email system was hacked. The hackers sent out false notices claiming that the General Assembly had been postponed, causing confusion among attendees. Zumretay Arkin, the WUC’s Global Advocacy Director, stated that this harassment is a clear attempt to prevent the Uyghur community from gathering and discussing their future. She emphasised the serious pressure from the Chinese government and underscored the WUC’s determination to proceed with the event despite these challenges. “We are advocating for not only the human rights of Uyghur people, but also self-determination of Uyghurs. And that’s considered a threat to the Chinese government. We’re building a system that is our own. We’re building something totally opposite to what the Chinese government has, and so they’re scared of that. They’re scared of democracy and human rights.”

World Uyghur Congress Urges Finland to Take a Strong Stance on the Uyghur Genocide
On October 19, the World Uyghur Congress called on Finland to take a firm stance on Uyghur human rights by addressing the ongoing genocide against the Uyghurs with Chinese officials and to refrain from conducting business as usual amid the serious human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Finnish President Alexander Stubb and his wife, Suzanne Innes-Stubb, along with several ministers and representatives from the Finnish business sector, will visit China from October 28 to 31. The delegation is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 29 in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations and other issues. “The Finnish government has previously taken a strong position against China’s treatment of Uyghurs in international forums and is well-regarded for its leadership in human rights diplomacy,” said WUC Interim-President, Erkin Ekrem. “Finland must continue to advocate firmly for the protection of Uyghurs and not shy away from its moral responsibilities, even in light of economic interest and pressure.” 

Western Nations Urge China for Human Rights Accountability for Uyghurs and Tibetans
On October 22, during the United Nations General Assembly, 15 Western nations, led by Australia, urged China to release all arbitrarily detained Uyghurs and Tibetans, grant independent access to East Turkistan and Tibet to assess human rights conditions, and for China to uphold its international human rights obligations by implementing all UN recommendations. “We call on China to allow unfettered and meaningful access to Xinjiang and Tibet for independent observers, including from the U.N., to evaluate the human rights situation,” said Australian Ambassador to the United Nations, James Larsen, in a joint statement.

Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong dismissed these claims, accusing the West of political interference, coercion of the OHCHR, and double standards regarding the situation in Gaza.

Former Uyghur Official Dies in Prison
On October 22, Radio Free Asia reported that Shirzat Bawudun, a former deputy secretary of the Chinese Communist Party’s Political and Legal Affairs Committee in East Turkistan, died in prison after being sentenced to death in 2021 for “separatism” and “terrorism.” Mr. Bawudun had been detained in 2018 on suspicion of being “two-faced,” and his family was informed of his death without being given any details on the cause or timing. His family last spoke to him in March and reported no signs of illness. Officials have refused to provide further information. 

PARTICIPATE

Support the 8th General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress
This pivotal event will unite Uyghur leaders and allies to build a strong democratic leadership and advance our shared goals for justice and human rights. Your donation will help us cover essential costs and ensure the success of this pivotal event. Please donate here.