Word Uyghur Congress Holds 5th General Assembly in Paris, France
From 11-13 July 2016, Uyghur activists and representatives joined in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 5th General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). The purpose of the assembly, under the co-sponsorship of the Unrepresentative Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the France Uyghur Community (Association des Ouïghours de France), has been to elect WUC representatives, finalise and approve a new Charter, and to develop the working strategy of the organization in the upcoming years in order to more effectively raise the Uyghur issue in international fora.
The event began with a public Opening Ceremony on July 11, which allowed a number of Uyghur representatives from around the world to address the WUC delegates and guests. Speakers during the opening ceremony included WUC President, Rebiya Kadeer, former President, Erkin Alptekin and UNPO Secretary General, Marino Busdachin. Each speaker highlighted the necessity for continued growth and development of the organization.The opening session also included statements from leaders of the WUC affiliate organizations around the world, representing 18 countries.
The second day of the Assembly saw elections take place for a number of positions within the organization. With overwhelming support, Rebiya Kadeer was re-elected as WUC President. In similar fashion, Dolkun Isa was elected with overwhelming support from the delegates as the General Secretary—a position that will now perform all the duties heretofore carried out by the entire Committee.
Additionally, elections were also held for vice-presidential positions for five Uyghur representatives. Omer Kanat (United States) was reelected as vice-president and will now take up duties managing the daily activities of the WUC that were heretofore performed by the president. Additionally, Umit Hamit (Germany) and Seyit Tumturk (Turkey) retained their positions as vice-president, while Perhat Muhammed (Germany) and Arkin Ahmetov (Kazakhstan) were newly elected. Twelve additional positions were also elected and will serve over the next four years in various positions within the organization.
The third day allowed time for delegates to be split into groups for more open discussion to cultivate knowledge and strategy in regards to advocacy and fundraising. During these meetings, all delegates were able to raise their voices and offer suggestions as to the focus and approach of each member organization. Additionally, changes made to the WUC Charter and three new committees were established including those focusing on refugees, fundraising, and an advisory council.
The event began with a public Opening Ceremony on July 11, which allowed a number of Uyghur representatives from around the world to address the WUC delegates and guests. Speakers during the opening ceremony included WUC President, Rebiya Kadeer, former President, Erkin Alptekin and UNPO Secretary General, Marino Busdachin. Each speaker highlighted the necessity for continued growth and development of the organization.The opening session also included statements from leaders of the WUC affiliate organizations around the world, representing 18 countries.
The second day of the Assembly saw elections take place for a number of positions within the organization. With overwhelming support, Rebiya Kadeer was re-elected as WUC President. In similar fashion, Dolkun Isa was elected with overwhelming support from the delegates as the General Secretary—a position that will now perform all the duties heretofore carried out by the entire Committee.
Additionally, elections were also held for vice-presidential positions for five Uyghur representatives. Omer Kanat (United States) was reelected as vice-president and will now take up duties managing the daily activities of the WUC that were heretofore performed by the president. Additionally, Umit Hamit (Germany) and Seyit Tumturk (Turkey) retained their positions as vice-president, while Perhat Muhammed (Germany) and Arkin Ahmetov (Kazakhstan) were newly elected. Twelve additional positions were also elected and will serve over the next four years in various positions within the organization.
The third day allowed time for delegates to be split into groups for more open discussion to cultivate knowledge and strategy in regards to advocacy and fundraising. During these meetings, all delegates were able to raise their voices and offer suggestions as to the focus and approach of each member organization. Additionally, changes made to the WUC Charter and three new committees were established including those focusing on refugees, fundraising, and an advisory council.
WUC Commemorates Those Who Were Killed During Yarkand Massacre
The World Uyghur Congress and its affiliate organizations around the world commemorated the second anniversary of the Yarkand Massacre, in which Chinese security forces violently suppressed a mass protest, where hundreds of Uyghurs were killed and countless more arrested. The anniversary marks two years since the events, which are still altogether shrouded in secrecy.
To this day, critical questions remain unanswered regarding the number arrested, killed and disappeared, and we demand that the Chinese government act immediately and transparently to disclose these key details to the international community and family of the deceased. In the year preceding the events in Yarkand, Uyghurs had been killed consistently in a number of violent incidents with security forces. What occurred on 28 July 2014 and in the days following, however, would mark the deadliest episode since the unrest in Urumqi in July 2009.
The major precipitant of the initial protests, according to Uyghur sources, was a protest that took place in Bashkent Township that led to the extrajudicial killing of a Uyghur family of fiveduring house to house searches in the area. This resulted in the flight of many Uyghurs to nearby Elishku Township where they would then participate in the demonstrations there.
Uyghur sources from inside the region stated that upwards of 3000 Uyghurs may have been killed during and in the aftermath of the initial protests, with thousands arrested and an unknown number disappeared. It was alleged that nearly all of those who participated in the protests were gunned down by police and security personnel and many others were then killed during house to house searches that followed. According to Chinese media sources, only 96 civilians were killed and hundreds more injured when police and security forces clashed with the protesters, including 59 Uyghurs – all later labelled terrorists – and another 37 civilians.
To this day, critical questions remain unanswered regarding the number arrested, killed and disappeared, and we demand that the Chinese government act immediately and transparently to disclose these key details to the international community and family of the deceased. In the year preceding the events in Yarkand, Uyghurs had been killed consistently in a number of violent incidents with security forces. What occurred on 28 July 2014 and in the days following, however, would mark the deadliest episode since the unrest in Urumqi in July 2009.
The major precipitant of the initial protests, according to Uyghur sources, was a protest that took place in Bashkent Township that led to the extrajudicial killing of a Uyghur family of fiveduring house to house searches in the area. This resulted in the flight of many Uyghurs to nearby Elishku Township where they would then participate in the demonstrations there.
Uyghur sources from inside the region stated that upwards of 3000 Uyghurs may have been killed during and in the aftermath of the initial protests, with thousands arrested and an unknown number disappeared. It was alleged that nearly all of those who participated in the protests were gunned down by police and security personnel and many others were then killed during house to house searches that followed. According to Chinese media sources, only 96 civilians were killed and hundreds more injured when police and security forces clashed with the protesters, including 59 Uyghurs – all later labelled terrorists – and another 37 civilians.
Notice Posted Ahead of G20 Urging Uyghurs to be Reported to Police
In early August, a printed notice posted in Hangzhou surfaced online offering cash rewards for reporting the presence of Uyghurs to police in and around the city as the G20 Summit in early September approaches. The pictured notice is signed by Hangzhou’s Hongshi property management group and states as one of its stipulations: “If you see Uyghur from Xinjiang you must go to police and may collect 500 yuan reward”.
Such blatant discrimination has not yet been responded to by the CPC or any other group for that matter. Uyghurs already face real difficulties in travelling within East Turkestan as freedom of movement there has been dramatically restricted in recent years. Roadblocks and police checks have been the norm lately and hotels outside East Turkestan have been instructed to notify police if Uyghurs attempt to check in.
The G20 Summit itself has already proven to be more closed and exclusionary than it has been in the past. The G20 Leaders’ Communiqué drafted following last year’s summit in Antalya, Turkey, made clear mention in its introduction to “recognize that advancing inclusive growth and entrenching confidence require the use of all policy tools and strong engagement with all stakeholders.” This is particularly relevant to the Uyghur population who continue to suffer from severe economic disadvantages, despite tremendous growth largely benefiting the Chinese population living there instead. As for inclusiveness of civil society, China has made great efforts at removing critical voices, rather than embracing them.
The government has already made plans to close churches and ban religious gatherings while world leaders attend the summit. It has also been reported that city officials are trying their best to ensure that residents are not in the city during the meetings, offering a total of $1.5 million worth of travel vouchers to residents there, ostensibly as a means to ensure that the summit “runs smoothly” as one anonymous official put it.
Such blatant discrimination has not yet been responded to by the CPC or any other group for that matter. Uyghurs already face real difficulties in travelling within East Turkestan as freedom of movement there has been dramatically restricted in recent years. Roadblocks and police checks have been the norm lately and hotels outside East Turkestan have been instructed to notify police if Uyghurs attempt to check in.
The G20 Summit itself has already proven to be more closed and exclusionary than it has been in the past. The G20 Leaders’ Communiqué drafted following last year’s summit in Antalya, Turkey, made clear mention in its introduction to “recognize that advancing inclusive growth and entrenching confidence require the use of all policy tools and strong engagement with all stakeholders.” This is particularly relevant to the Uyghur population who continue to suffer from severe economic disadvantages, despite tremendous growth largely benefiting the Chinese population living there instead. As for inclusiveness of civil society, China has made great efforts at removing critical voices, rather than embracing them.
The government has already made plans to close churches and ban religious gatherings while world leaders attend the summit. It has also been reported that city officials are trying their best to ensure that residents are not in the city during the meetings, offering a total of $1.5 million worth of travel vouchers to residents there, ostensibly as a means to ensure that the summit “runs smoothly” as one anonymous official put it.
Upcoming Events
WUC will attend 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council
The World Uyghur Congress will again send delegates to the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council to take part in dialogue with state missions, NGOs and other like-minded international organizations. The WUC will submit a written statement prior to the session and also make an oral intervention for Item 3 that will focus on the Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. Representatives may also participate in side events during the session focusing relevant issues to the Uyghur community.
The World Uyghur Congress will again send delegates to the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council to take part in dialogue with state missions, NGOs and other like-minded international organizations. The WUC will submit a written statement prior to the session and also make an oral intervention for Item 3 that will focus on the Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development. Representatives may also participate in side events during the session focusing relevant issues to the Uyghur community.
Recent Activities
WUC and affiliates organize protests to commemorate July 5th, 2009 events
The World Uyghur Congress and its affiliates held international demonstrations as a means to remember those who were killed during the events taking place in Urumqi in July, 2009. Some of these events, including large demonstrations, meetings and cultural events, were held across Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the United States.
Conference held by the France Uyghur Community in Paris
In close collaboration with international human rights organizations located in France, the France Uyghur Association (FUA) organized an international conference on July 8th in Paris to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the July 5th 2009 Urumqi Massacre as well as the situation regarding prominent Uyghur scholar and political prisoner Mr Ilham Tohti. Along with French politicians, representatives of international human rights organizations and journalists, the WUC president Ms Rebiya Kadeer, Chairman of the WUC Executive Committee Mr Dolkun Isa, as well as President of the FUA Mr Erkin Ablimit also attended the conference.
WUC holds 5th General Assembly in Paris, France
From 11-13 July 2016, Uyghur activists and representatives joined in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 5th General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). The purpose of the assembly, under the co-sponsorship of the Unrepresentative Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the France Uyghur Community (Association des Ouïghours de France), has been to elect WUC representatives, finalise and approve a new Charter, and to develop the working strategy of the organization in the upcoming years in order to more effectively raise the Uyghur issue in international fora.
Uyghur organizations in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan meet following General Assembly
The Uyghur Youth Association and the Society Union of Uyghur National Associations in Kazakhstan organized a joint meeting on July 24th in Almaty, Kazakhstan to inform the Uyghur community about the General Assembly and results of the election. The meetings were meant to ensure that the Uyghur community there is up to date regarding the most current issues affecting Uyghurs in East Turkestan and abroad as well as the WUC as an organization itself.
WUC organizes protests to mark two year anniversary of Yarkand massacre
The WUC organized protests around the world in commemoration of the Yarkand massacre that took place on July 28th and in the days following. Groups in Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Australia and Japan (among others) all held commemorative events and demonstrations on the day.
The World Uyghur Congress and its affiliates held international demonstrations as a means to remember those who were killed during the events taking place in Urumqi in July, 2009. Some of these events, including large demonstrations, meetings and cultural events, were held across Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and the United States.
Conference held by the France Uyghur Community in Paris
In close collaboration with international human rights organizations located in France, the France Uyghur Association (FUA) organized an international conference on July 8th in Paris to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the July 5th 2009 Urumqi Massacre as well as the situation regarding prominent Uyghur scholar and political prisoner Mr Ilham Tohti. Along with French politicians, representatives of international human rights organizations and journalists, the WUC president Ms Rebiya Kadeer, Chairman of the WUC Executive Committee Mr Dolkun Isa, as well as President of the FUA Mr Erkin Ablimit also attended the conference.
WUC holds 5th General Assembly in Paris, France
From 11-13 July 2016, Uyghur activists and representatives joined in Paris, France, on the occasion of the 5th General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). The purpose of the assembly, under the co-sponsorship of the Unrepresentative Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the France Uyghur Community (Association des Ouïghours de France), has been to elect WUC representatives, finalise and approve a new Charter, and to develop the working strategy of the organization in the upcoming years in order to more effectively raise the Uyghur issue in international fora.
Uyghur organizations in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan meet following General Assembly
The Uyghur Youth Association and the Society Union of Uyghur National Associations in Kazakhstan organized a joint meeting on July 24th in Almaty, Kazakhstan to inform the Uyghur community about the General Assembly and results of the election. The meetings were meant to ensure that the Uyghur community there is up to date regarding the most current issues affecting Uyghurs in East Turkestan and abroad as well as the WUC as an organization itself.
WUC organizes protests to mark two year anniversary of Yarkand massacre
The WUC organized protests around the world in commemoration of the Yarkand massacre that took place on July 28th and in the days following. Groups in Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, the United States, Australia and Japan (among others) all held commemorative events and demonstrations on the day.
