By Investigative Journalism Reportika (IJ-Reportika)
As the 2024 General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) approaches, Uyghur scholars and intellectuals, exiled due to China’s oppressive policies, have issued a collective statement urging the global community to support the Uyghur democratic reform movement. With Beijing’s persecution of Uyghurs continuing, and multiple international parliaments recognizing the acts as genocide, the call for unity and support is growing stronger.
The WUC, a key player in Uyghur advocacy, is set to hold its eighth General Assembly in Sarajevo from October 24-27, 2024. Over 150 delegates from across the globe are expected to attend, representing dozens of countries. This assembly is critical, as WUC plans to elect new leadership and outline strategic goals for Uyghur advocacy moving forward. The congress stands as a beacon of democratic values, contrasting sharply with the totalitarian rule imposed by Beijing in Xinjiang.
Since its formation in 2004, the WUC has evolved into a prominent global force for Uyghur rights, engaging in legal battles, lobbying for policy changes, and working to expose China’s systemic repression. It has spearheaded campaigns that have resulted in official recognition of the genocide, international divestment from tainted supply chains, and bans on forced labor products. The WUC has also mobilized Uyghur activists, intellectuals, and researchers, contributing to significant efforts like the Uyghur Tribunal, where over 10,000 pages of evidence were gathered and translated.
Despite its successes, WUC faces increasing challenges, including China’s growing efforts to undermine its credibility. Chinese delegations have been dispatched to Xinjiang in an attempt to spread propaganda, and Uyghur leaders have been targeted with harassment, blackmail, and even death threats. The organization also continues to face internal struggles, with calls for democratic reforms to enhance transparency and accountability within the WUC itself.
Uyghur scholars, many of whom signed the statement, emphasize that maintaining a united front is crucial in the face of Beijing’s disinformation campaigns. As they look to the future, these scholars call for renewed global solidarity and a commitment to supporting the Uyghur democratic movement and the WUC’s ongoing reforms.
This October’s General Assembly in Sarajevo is expected to be a crucial turning point for the Uyghur cause, as delegates gather to strategize and elect new leadership. The statement underscores the need for international allies to stand by Uyghur organizations as they continue to push for justice, freedom, and the protection of human rights.
Signatories of the Uyghur Scholars’ Statement:
- Prof. Dr. Alimcan İnayet, İzmir, Türkiye
- Prof. Dr. Erkin EMET, Ankara, Turkiye
- Prof. Dr. Alimzhan Tilivaldi, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Dr. Muhtar Abdurahman, Tokyo, Japan
- IT Engineer Gheyret Kenji, Tokyo, Japan
- Dr. Memet Emin, New York, USA
- IT Manager Dolkun Tarim, Columbia, Maryland, USA
- Sawut Muhammad, MA, Tokyo, Japan
- Dr. Erkin Sidick, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Dr. Yakup Ismayil, Hamburg, Germany
- Dr. Ablet Semet, Berlin, Germany
- Dr. Erkin Ekrem, Ankara, Turkiye
- Dr. Rishat Abbas, Philadelphia, USA
- Dr. Muhittin Canuygur, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Dr. Atawulla Shahyar, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Sevket Nasir, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Ömer Kul, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Dr. Ismail Amat, Saitama, Japan
- MD-PhD. Mewlan Bayyüz, Osaka, Japan
- Exmetjan Letip, MS. Tokyo, Japan
- Dr. Abliz Abduqadir, Virginia, USA
- Dr. Mamatimin ABBAS, Bordeaux, France
- Dr. Magfiret Yunusoglu, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Memet Tash, Texas, USA
- Dr. Ahmetcan Polat, Newcastle, United Kingdom
- Muzappar Dolan, S.P Manager, Houston, USA
- Dr. Alip Mohammed, Montreal, Canada
- Dr. Askar Yimit, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Dr. Nurnisa Kurban, Santa Clarita, USA
- Dr. Abduxukur Abdurixit, Bern, Switzerland
- Associate Prof. Dilnara Kassymova, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Dr. Alimcan Bugda, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Raziye Mahmut, Ottawa, Canada
- Dr. Furkat Yunus, Delft, The Netherlands
- Dr. Abdukader Kayser, Bern, Switzerland
- Dr. Andeli Memetkerim, Zürich, Switzerland
- Ilzat Yusup, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Dr. Ablet Uygar, Istanbul, Turkiye
- Dr. Payzulla Zaydun, Maryland, USA
- Dr. Gülnar Eziz, Boston, MA, USA
- Dr. Anwar Mamat, Virginia, USA
- Dr. Gulnisa Nazarova, USA
- Abduweli Ayup, Researcher, Bergen, Norway
- Dr. Adilcan Eruygur, Konya, Türkiye
- Dr. Erkin Abliz, Virginia, USA
- Dishat Abudurahman, M.A, Saitama, Japan
- Dr. Ayjamal Abdurahman, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Dr. Gülmire Berdash, Essex, UK
- Merwayit Hapiz, Painter, Munich, Germany
- Abdulhamit Karahan, MSc Engineering, Ankara, Türkiye
- MD. Rena Karahan, Ankara, Türkiye
- Dr. Abdulkerim Buğra, Ankara, Türkiye
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Reyila Kaşgarlı, İstanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Gülzadem Tanrıdağlı, İstanbul, Türkiye
- Abduresit Niyazkaramay, Editor, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Av. Cevlan Sir, Lawyer, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Prof. Dr. Sultan Mahmut Kaşgarlı, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Maisam Mitalipova, Boston, USA
- Mettursun Udun, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Dr. Mamatjan Yasin, Kamloops, BC, Canada
- Dr. Waris Abdukerim Janbaz, Paris, France
- Memet T. Atawulla, MA, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Dr. Farhad Idikut, Helsinki, Finland
- Muhtar Abdukerim, Musician, Stockholm, Sweden
- Dr. Maxmut Abla, San Francisco, USA
This full list of signatories reflects the global nature of the Uyghur diaspora and the collective call for unity and international support for the Uyghur movement. These individuals are united in their commitment to preserving Uyghur culture and fighting for justice.
This report highlights the sacrifices and efforts of Uyghur intellectuals in their fight for justice and calls for the international community to intensify its support. The upcoming WUC assembly represents a moment of hope and potential for the Uyghur diaspora to further the cause of freedom and democracy.
Reference :
