Press Release – For Immediate Release
28 May 2025
World Uyghur Congres

We, the co-hosts of the III Uyghur National Summit and Uyghur Youth Summit, led by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), proudly announce the successful conclusion of the III Uyghur National Summit and Uyghur Youth Summit, held over three impactful days in Munich, Germany.

“This summit is not just a gathering — it is a declaration. A declaration that the Uyghur people remain united in our struggle, and that no level of repression can erase our identity or silence our cause,” said WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun

The summit brought together over 150 participants, including more than 50 Uyghur organisations, Uyghur leaders, human rights defenders, community leaders, youth activists, scholars, and politicians from over 22 countries to advance the collective struggle for freedom, justice, and the preservation of Uyghur identity.

Taking place at a critical time, the summit served as a powerful platform to strengthen unity among the Uyghur diaspora and to coordinate international advocacy efforts against the ongoing Uyghur genocide and widespread transnational repression perpetrated by the Chinese government in East Turkistan.

The first day of the summit was marked by high-level engagement, with the presence of many international guests. Distinguished speakers and contributors included:

• Yves-François Blanchet, Member of Parliament of Canada and Leader of the Bloc Québécois 
• Alexis Brunelle Duceppe, Member of Parliament of Canada
• Markétka Gregorová, Member of the European Parliament (video message) 
• Jiri Oberfalzer, Vice President of the Czech Senate (written message)
• Iain Duncan Smith, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Baroness Helena Kennedy, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom
• Pina Picierno, Vice President of the European Parliament (written message)
• Oleksandra Matviichuk, Nobel Laureate, Ukrainian human rights lawyer
• Andrei Sannikov, Coordinator of civic movement, Chairman of the European Belarus Foundation
• U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim, Chair of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific;
• U.S. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam
• Markus Rinderspacher, Vice President of the Bavarian State Parliament
• Barbara Lochbihler, Member of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances
• Professor Tomoya Obokata, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
• Dogan Bekin, Member of Parliament of Türkiye
• Norbert Altenkamp – Member of the German Bundestag, Co-founding Member of the Uyghur friendship group at the German Bundestag (video message) 

All reaffirmed their commitment to defending Uyghur rights and confronting the Uyghur genocide.

The Uyghur Summit and the Uyghur Youth Summit began with a joint program on the first morning, fostering intergenerational dialogue and shared purpose. Midway through the first day, the Youth Summit held its official opening ceremony, marking the start of its dedicated sessions.

The overall summit program featured a dynamic and diverse format, including two roundtables, a fireside chat, eight Chatham House-style discussions, and four open sessions, offering space for strategic discussion, storytelling, and collaborative planning.

Throughout the summit, sessions addressed a wide range of vital topics, including:

• The escalating threat of transnational repression targeting Uyghur communities in exile

• Legal pathways to justice, including the use of universal jurisdiction and engagement with UN human rights mechanisms
  

• The crucial role of Uyghur youth and women in sustaining and leading the movement

• Strategies to preserve Uyghur language, culture, and identity under severe threat

• Enhanced cooperation among Uyghur organizations to unify efforts, share resources, and strengthen the global movement

• The importance of Uyghur journalism in exile — highlighting the essential role of independent media in shaping narratives, documenting oppression, and reinforcing global advocacy

• The urgent issue of Uyghur forced labour and how to effectively address it through legislative action and international accountability mechanisms

• Reflections on the past and future of Uyghur activism, examining the movement’s evolution, strategic direction, and lessons learned

• First-hand testimonies from camp survivors, emphasizing the need for justice, recognition, and support for victims

• A candid discussion on the challenges and crises facing the Uyghur movement, including internal challenges, external pressures, institutional resilience, and geopolitical shifts

• A forward-looking session exploring “What’s Next for the Uyghur Movement?”, aimed at setting priorities, envisioning long-term goals, and mobilizing new energy for the cause

Running parallel to the main summit, the Uyghur Youth Summit focused on themes such as identity, intergenerational dialogue, storytelling, trauma and healing, transnational repression, cultural revival, and youth empowerment. These sessions created a powerful and safe space for reflection, connection, and building the capacity of Uyghur youth to lead the next chapter of the movement.

A key outcome of the summit was the adoption of the Munich Declaration, which reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of Uyghur communities to mutual solidarity, coordinated advocacy, and the peaceful pursuit of justice and freedom for East Turkistan.

The WUC extends its deepest gratitude to all participants, partner organizations, and volunteers who made this summit a success. As the Uyghur community continues to confront mounting challenges, the conclusion of this summit marks not an end, but a new beginning — one of greater collaboration, resilience, and hope.

The Munich Declaration can be read in full here. 

*The Opening Ceremony and some of the panels can be watched here.