Uyghur genocide becomes key topic at international conference in Malaysia

The Uyghur genocide became a focal point at the “Human Security Outlook in Central and South Asian Countries” conference, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on November 30 and December 1, 2024. Mr. Omer Kanat, Director of Uyghur Human Rights Development, and Mr. Hidayatullah Oguzhan, President of the International Union of East Turkistan Organizations based in Istanbul, presented separate reports on China’s cross-border threats and China’s genocidal policy against the Uyghurs. The conference was attended by government officials from Malaysia, diplomats, religious scholars, human rights experts, and activists from countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco. The issues of Kashmir, Rohingya, and Uyghurs were discussed at the meeting, with two Uyghur representatives speaking. Mr. Hidayatullah Oguzhan noted that Mr. Omer Kanat had presented a report on China’s violations against the people of East Turkistan, highlighting the measures to stop this persecution. A significant part of the conference was devoted to discussing the issue of East Turkistan.
In addition to discussing human rights violations against Muslims in Asian countries, human rights issues related to non-Muslim peoples were also addressed. The conference was organized by the Islamic Cooperation Council, one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Malaysia. In his speech, Mr. Omar Kanat explained that although the governments of the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the parliaments of ten other countries have recognized the genocide against the Uyghurs, no Islamic country has yet recognized it and has instead expressed support for China's policy towards the Uyghurs.
In an exclusive interview with us, Mr. Omar Kanat added that at the conference held in Malaysia, he and Mr. Hidayatullah Oguzhan presented separate reports, and they also participated in discussions with the participants and answered their questions.
According to the information we have received, the relations between Malaysia and China are very strong. In Malaysia, there is a great influence from the Chinese state and people, which makes discussing the Uyghur genocide very important in such a country where China has great influence.
Since 2019, leaders of the Uyghur Human Rights Organization, the World Uyghur Congress, the Uyghur Action Organization, and the International Union of East Turkistan Organizations have visited Malaysia and Indonesia several times, holding a series of events and meetings to gain support for the Uyghur cause in these Islamic countries.