Turkistan Times News – May 29, 2025 – Munich, Germany: The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) announced the declaration of the 3rd East Turkistan National Council and Uyghur Youth Council meeting, held from May 23rd to 25th, 2025, in Munich, Germany, which lasted for three days. The declaration stated that this meeting provided a crucial platform for the Uyghur diaspora to stand united against the Chinese government's escalating pressure in East Turkistan and to determine future strategies. This declaration, announced by the World Uyghur Congress on May 28th, emphasized that the meeting was an important step towards defending Uyghur rights and drawing the international community's attention to the human rights crisis in the region.
Over 150 delegates from more than 22 countries worldwide attended this significant meeting, including leaders of over 50 Uyghur organizations, human rights activists, academics, politicians, and youth activists. According to the World Uyghur Congress, the main purpose of this council was to strengthen the struggle for Uyghur freedom, justice, and identity, to consolidate unity among Uyghurs in the diaspora, and to coordinate international efforts against the Chinese government's policies, described as "genocide," and its cross-border repression against Uyghurs.
International Support and Resounding Calls
On the opening day of the council, numerous international politicians and human rights defenders spoke, expressing strong support for the just cause of the Uyghurs. Speakers included prominent figures such as Canadian Member of Parliament Yves-François Blanchet, British Member of Parliament Iain Duncan Smith, Member of the UK House of Lords Baroness Helena Kennedy, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Ukrainian human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk, US Members of Congress Young Kim and Suhas Subramanyam, Vice President of the Bavarian Parliament Markus Rinderspacher, and UN Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata. Vice President of the European Parliament Pina Picierno and Vice President of the Czech Senate Jiri Oberfalzer sent written messages of support. The leaders condemned China's systematic repression of Uyghurs and called on the international community to take concrete and decisive steps to protect Uyghur rights.
Strategic Discussions for the Future
During the three-day council, a series of strategic issues shaping the future of the Uyghur movement were thoroughly discussed. Key topics included:
● The growing threat of cross-border repression against Uyghur communities abroad and methods to counter it.
● Effective use of international legal avenues for justice, including universal jurisdiction and UN human rights mechanisms.
● The central and dynamic role of Uyghur youth and women in sustaining and advancing the Uyghur cause.
● Comprehensive strategies for the protection and revitalization of the critically endangered Uyghur language, culture, and identity.
● Strengthening cooperation among Uyghur civil society organizations, effective resource sharing, and coordination of joint actions globally.
● The importance of Uyghur media in the diaspora; its critical function in independent reporting, documenting ongoing atrocities, and raising international public awareness.
● Implementation of international legal regulations and accountability mechanisms to address the issue of Uyghur forced labor.
● The importance of seeking justice based on first-hand testimonies from camp survivors and strengthening support for victims.
● Internal and external challenges facing the Uyghur movement, the impact of geopolitical changes, and solution-oriented approaches to these issues.
These strategic discussions were held interactively in various formats, including two closed-door roundtables, four fireside chats, eight free discussions, and four open forums.
Uyghur Youth and Future Vision
At the Uyghur Youth Council, held concurrently with the National Council, issues such as Uyghur identity, intergenerational dialogue, trauma and healing processes, resilience against cross-border repression, preservation of cultural heritage, and enhancing youth leadership capacities were addressed with active youth participation. These sessions created a foundation for Uyghur youth to be equipped to lead the movement into the future.
The Munich Declaration: A Message of Unity and Determination
One of the most concrete outcomes of the meeting was the adoption of the "Munich Declaration," which reaffirmed the Uyghur communities' unwavering determination to act in unity, pursue their cause cohesively, and continue the struggle for justice and freedom for East Turkistan through peaceful means.
World Uyghur Congress President Turghunjan Alawudun stated: "This is not just an ordinary meeting; this is a manifesto. It is a manifesto of the Uyghur people's continued unity and solidarity in their cause, and that no pressure can erase our identity and voice."
A Beacon of Hope Amidst Ongoing Repression
This important council took place amidst the ongoing large-scale and systematic repression by the Chinese government against Uyghurs and other indigenous peoples in East Turkistan. International human rights organizations, UN experts, and many national governments describe China's actions in the region as "crimes against humanity" and "genocide." The Beijing regime, however, denies these accusations, defending its policies as "counter-extremism" and "development" efforts.
The World Uyghur Congress expressed hope that the decisions made and the spirit of unity demonstrated in Munich would serve as a new beginning for stronger cooperation, resistance, and hope in the face of the severe challenges Uyghurs are confronting.
