Uyghur Democratic Reform Movement Calls for Global Unity and Support Ahead of Pivotal Congress

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.

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Signatories of the Uyghur Scholars’ Statement:

1. Prof. Dr. Alimcan İnayet, İzmir, Türkiye
2. Prof. Dr. Erkin EMET, Ankara, Turkiye
3. Prof. Dr. Alimzhan Tilivaldi, Almaty, Kazakhstan
4. Dr. Muhtar Abdurahman, Tokyo, Japan
5. IT Engineer Gheyret Kenji, Tokyo, Japan
6. Dr. Memet Emin, New York, USA
7. IT Manager Dolkun Tarim, Columbia, Maryland, USA
8. Sawut Muhammad, MA, Tokyo, Japan
9. Dr. Erkin Sidick, Los Angeles, California, USA
10. Dr. Yakup Ismayil, Hamburg, Germany
11. Dr. Ablet Semet, Berlin, Germany
12. Dr. Erkin Ekrem, Ankara, Turkiye
13. Dr. Rishat Abbas, Philadelphia, USA
14. Dr. Muhittin Canuygur, Istanbul, Turkiye
15. Dr. Atawulla Shahyar, Istanbul, Türkiye
16. Dr. Sevket Nasir, Istanbul, Türkiye
17. Dr. Ömer Kul, Istanbul, Turkiye
18. Dr. Ismail Amat, Saitama, Japan
19. MD-PhD. Mewlan Bayyüz, Osaka, Japan
20. Exmetjan Letip, MS. Tokyo, Japan
21. Dr. Abliz Abduqadir, Virginia, USA
22. Dr. Mamatimin ABBAS, Bordeaux, France
23. Dr. Magfiret Yunusoglu, Istanbul, Türkiye
24. Dr. Memet Tash, Texas, USA
25. Dr. Ahmetcan Polat, Newcastle, United Kingdom
26. Muzappar Dolan, S.P Manager, Houston, USA
27. Dr. Alip Mohammed, Montreal, Canada
28. Dr. Askar Yimit, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
29. Dr. Nurnisa Kurban, Santa Clarita, USA
30. Dr. Abduxukur Abdurixit, Bern, Switzerland
31. Associate Prof. Dilnara Kassymova, Almaty, Kazakhstan
32. Dr. Alimcan Bugda, Istanbul, Türkiye
33. Dr. Raziye Mahmut, Ottawa, Canada
34. Dr. Furkat Yunus, Delft, The Netherlands
35. Dr. Abdukader Kayser, Bern, Switzerland
36. Dr. Andeli Memetkerim, Zürich, Switzerland
37. Ilzat Yusup, Calgary, AB, Canada
38. Dr. Ablet Uygar, Istanbul, Turkiye
39. Dr. Payzulla Zaydun, Maryland, USA
40. Dr. Gülnar Eziz, Boston, MA, USA
41. Dr. Anwar Mamat, Virginia, USA
42. Dr. Gulnisa Nazarova, USA
43. Abduweli Ayup, Researcher, Bergen, Norway
44. Dr. Adilcan Eruygur, Konya, Türkiye
45. Dr. Erkin Abliz, Virginia, USA
46. Dishat Abudurahman, M.A, Saitama, Japan
47. Dr. Ayjamal Abdurahman, Montréal, QC, Canada
48. Dr. Gülmire Berdash, Essex, UK
49. Merwayit Hapiz, Painter, Munich, Germany
50. Abdulhamit Karahan, MSc Engineering, Ankara, Türkiye
51. MD. Rena Karahan, Ankara, Türkiye
52. Dr. Abdulkerim Buğra, Ankara, Türkiye
53. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Reyila Kaşgarlı, İstanbul, Türkiye
54. Dr. Gülzadem Tanrıdağlı, İstanbul, Türkiye
55. Abduresit Niyazkaramay, Editor, Istanbul, Türkiye
56. Av. Cevlan Sir, Lawyer, Istanbul, Türkiye
57. Prof. Dr. Sultan Mahmut Kaşgarlı, Istanbul, Türkiye
58. Dr. Maisam Mitalipova, Boston, USA
59. Mettursun Udun, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
60. Dr. Mamatjan Yasin, Kamloops, BC, Canada
61. Dr. Waris Abdukerim Janbaz, Paris, France
62. Memet T. Atawulla, MA, Istanbul, Türkiye
63. Dr. Farhad Idikut, Helsinki, Finland
64. Muhtar Abdukerim, Musician, Stockholm, Sweden
65. 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.

Report by Josephine Coy

Reference :

• Bitter Winter
• Dolkun Isa