Full text of the Speech of Dolkun Isa : Link
On October 1, 1955, the Chinese government declared the establishment of the “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” (XUAR), claiming it would provide broad political, cultural, economic, and religious rights to the Uyghurs and other native peoples of East Turkistan. Seventy years later, the façade of “autonomy” remains one of the starkest examples of rights in theory versus reality.
At a high-profile event in the European Parliament organized by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) and hosted by MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Dolkun Isa—President of the Uyghur National Movement and former President of the WUC—delivered a landmark speech dismantling the myth of autonomy. Moderated by WUC Vice President Zumretay Arkin, the panel brought together survivors, activists, and experts to reflect on the erosion of Uyghur rights.
A Political Mask Disguising Occupation
Dolkun Isa reminded the audience that the so-called “autonomous region” was never born out of the free will of the Uyghurs but was instead imposed by Beijing following the 1949 occupation of East Turkistan. “The so-called Uyghur Autonomous Region,” Isa said, “is nothing more than a political mask—designed to erase Uyghur identity, forcibly assimilate our people, and permanently annex East Turkistan as Chinese territory.”
He recounted how then-Premier Zhou Enlai proposed the creation of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in September 1955, later approved by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. No legal framework to guarantee actual autonomy was provided at the time. Almost three decades later, in 1984, China’s Law on Regional National Autonomy—a 67-article framework—claimed to recognize political, economic, cultural, and religious rights for autonomous regions. In practice, Isa noted, it has remained “a dead letter, showcased internationally as a tool of propaganda rather than a lived reality.”
Political Rights: Authority in Name Only
On paper, the XUAR has its own People’s Congress and People’s Government, supposedly led by Uyghurs. In practice, all real authority rests with the CPC Party Secretary of the region—a position always held by a Han Chinese official. Uyghurs and Kazakhs remain locked out of meaningful governance, with over 90% of party positions occupied by Han cadres.
“While Beijing advertises autonomy,” Isa said, “decision-making is entirely centralized. Not even the regional governor can act without approval from the Party Secretary.”
Economic Exploitation and Forced Labor
The autonomy law suggests regions may manage their natural resources and allocate revenues for local development. Isa emphasized that East Turkistan’s vast oil, uranium, gold, and natural gas wealth is extracted under central government control, leaving Uyghur communities in systemic poverty.
Beyond exclusion, Uyghurs are subjected to economic exploitation through state-organized forced labor programs. Investigations have shown that 25% of global cotton, a major portion of solar panel raw materials, and significant supplies of tomatoes and other goods are tied to Uyghur forced labor. “This is not economic empowerment,” Isa declared. “It is modern slavery under the guise of development.”
Cultural and Educational Rights: Language Erased
The law guarantees the right to use local languages in education and governance. Yet Uyghur-language schooling has been dismantled, replaced by the “bilingual education” program that is, in reality, a Chinese-only system. Since 2004, nearly all schooling has shifted to Mandarin, erasing Uyghur linguistic heritage.
Uyghur cultural expression has been similarly targeted: hundreds of Uyghur-language websites were shut down after 2009, and activists promoting Uyghur education, such as Abdulla Ayup, have been jailed. “This is not bilingualism,” Isa said. “It is linguistic and cultural genocide.”
Religious Rights: Mosques Demolished, Faith Criminalized
Between 2017 and 2020, rights groups including ASPI documented the demolition or partial destruction of nearly 16,000 mosques in East Turkistan. Restrictions have extended to every aspect of religious life: fasting during Ramadan, wearing beards or hijabs, holding religious marriages, and even prayer are criminalized.
“The so-called autonomy law guarantees religious freedom,” Isa said, “but under Xi Jinping, even the most basic Islamic practices are equated with extremism.”
Prof. Ilham Tohti: Autonomy Advocate Imprisoned
Isa also highlighted the case of Professor Ilham Tohti, recipient of the Sakharov Prize. Tohti’s work focused on advocating the implementation of existing autonomy provisions within the Chinese constitution—not separatism, as Beijing claimed. For this, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2014. “His case,” Isa said, “is proof that Beijing has no interest in even honoring its own laws.”
Conclusion: A Call to Action
Seventy years after its declaration, the so-called Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region remains a hollow promise. Isa concluded with a direct appeal to the international community:
“History shows us clearly: none of the promises made to the people of East Turkistan were ever honored. Since Xi Jinping came to power in 2014, the campaign has escalated into a full-scale genocide. The international community must no longer remain silent. Recognizing the Uyghur people’s right to self-determination is not just a political choice—it is a moral obligation.”
The anniversary of “autonomy” reveals not celebration but tragedy: a people stripped of their political voice, cultural identity, religious freedom, and economic rights. What China calls autonomy, Uyghurs experience as oppression. For the Uyghurs, genuine self-determination remains the only path to survival.
