Taiwan Groups Mark 16th Anniversary of Urumqi Incident, Call for Awareness of Uyghur Situation

Taiwan's East Turkistan Association, parliamentary groups, and human rights activists held a joint press conference to commemorate the 2009 Urumqi "July 5th Massacre" and highlight ongoing human rights concerns in East Turkistan (Xinjiang).

• Speakers emphasized that China uses external propaganda and tourism promotion to conceal what they describe as systematic oppression, re-education camps, and cultural suppression of Uyghurs
• A recommended reading list about Uyghurs was announced to counter what organizers called Chinese disinformation
• Multiple speakers criticized recent travel writing by author Chang Man-chuan, arguing that positive portrayals of the region ignore human rights issues
• Activists compared the situation to Taiwan's historical trauma (the 228 Incident) and warned of implications for Taiwan's future
• Human rights advocates called on Taiwan's education system and society to remain vigilant about these issues

PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED:

• Legislators from various parties
• Presidents of Taiwan-based advocacy organizations for Tibetans and Uyghurs
• Human rights activists and educators
• Former political prisoner Li Ming-che

The event aimed to raise awareness about the Uyghur situation while positioning Taiwan as a defender of human rights values in contrast to what speakers characterized as Chinese authoritarianism.