World Uyghur Congress, 29 May 2020

NEWS

WUC Commemorates 31st Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre   
To commemorate the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Massacre, the WUC called for solidarity between all groups facing oppression from the CCP and to recapture the hope and optimism of the democracy protesters in 1989.

31 years ago, millions of people came together at the Tiananmen Square to demonstrate peacefully for freedom and democracy. 1989 was a remarkable time of solidarity and hope for all peoples under the rule of the Chinese government. This dream was violently taken from us by the Chinese government on June 4, 1989 as peaceful democracy protesters were met with a brutal and violent response that would prove to be a major indication of the direction the Chinese government would take in the next 30 years.

Recent events have made evident how precious our rights and liberties are and the need for solidarity, empathy and compassion to defend them. On the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, the WUC honored the memory of all those demonstrators, who lost their lives striving for democracy and human rights. The right to freedom of assembly is the cornerstone of a functioning and free society, which has been denied by the CCP for decades.

Governments have an obligation to listen and address the concerns and complaints of their people. Silencing and repressing peaceful dissension only exacerbates issues, enflames tensions and widens divisions

To mark the occasion, the WUC staff members also recited a classic Uyghur poem, expressing hope and resolve for a brighter future, despite the pain and sorrow many are now experiencing.

Launch of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China 
The WUC applauds the formation of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an alliance of legislators from nine global parliaments who have come together to push governments to adopt a tougher stance on China. The IPAC includes prominent parliamentarians and legislators from Australia, Canada, the European Parliament, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.The formation of this alliance constitutes a vital step in the defense of human rights for all peoples in China.

Chinese Media Outlet attacks WUC
The Chinese government outlet Global Times News has attacked a WUC video campaign in which Uyghurs share their Memories of Ramadan in East Turkistan to raise awareness on the crackdown on Freedom of Religion by the Chinese and to call for an end to religious persecution. While Chinese government has consistently tried to silence Uyghurs, we encourage readers to hear their voices.

Gulshan Abbas Confirmed Detained After Missing for 21 Months
After 21 Months missing a Commmunist Party Cadres Office confirmed to RFA that Dr. Gulshan Abbas, a retired Doctor, has been detained by the Chinese authorities. Ms Gulshan Abbas went missing together with an aunt in September 2018, after her sister, Rushan Abbas participated in a panel on China hosted by the Hudson Institute. Rushan Abbas, who also serves as director for the Campaign for Uyghurs in the US, assumes that her sister got detained by the Chinese government to silence her voice and to stop her activism. Although this has been the first sign of Dr. Gulshan Abbas It still remains unclear where Ms Gushan Abbas has been detained. The fact that her family could not find out whether or not she had been detained for almost 2 years, speaks to the uncertainty and lack of information Uyghurs in the diaspora must contend with, on the fate of their loved ones.

PARTICIPATE

Amnesty International Letters for Uyghurs
Please take action and support Amnesty International by writing a letter to Tao Hongjung, Director of the Urumqi Municipal Public Security Bureau to request information about the whereabouts of Dr. Gulshan Abbas and to call for her release. Take action here!

Please sign Amnesty International’s Petition for Mahira Yakub who was detained in April 2019 for transferring money to her parents, so they could buy a house in Australia. Please sign the petition here!

Donate to Legal Challenge to Huawei’s Inclusion in UK Network Building
Please support the WUC to legally challenge the UK government’s decision to allow Huawei 5G Network Access. This Crowd Justice campaign will cover pre-action legal work including sending written representations to the Government requesting that the decision to choose Huawei for its 5G network be reconsidered. Please donate here!

WUC Staff to Speak on Union of Jewish Students Panel
On June 7, WUC spokesperson Zumretay Arkin will speak on a panel entitled “Conversation with Uyghur Activists” hosted by Union of Jewish Students (UJS). For more information please click here!

Hong Kong Solidarity Rally
Please join Uyghur Solidarity Campaign UK online rally:  Solidarity with Hong Kong trade unions and the fight for democracy on Sat June 6, at  11am. Together with MP Nadia Whittome, Joshua Wong and many more, WUC representative Rahima Mahmut will speak at the rally. For more information please click here!