World Uyghur Congress Celebrates East Turkistan National Day

On November 12, the global Uyghur community celebrates East Turkistan National Day. This day marks the anniversaries of the establishment of the former independent republics, the Islamic Republic of East Turkistan (established on November 12, 1933, in Kashgar) and the Republic of East Turkistan (established on November 12, 1944, in Ghulja), which stand as a symbol of the spirit of the Uyghur people and the longing for freedom and democracy.

“Today, we come together in commemoration and celebration of a brighter future for a democratic East Turkistan. Uyghurs in East Turkistan have been deprived of their voice and right to live in a democratic state by the Chinese government; therefore, those of us living outside of the rule of the CCP must loudly raise ours on their behalf”, said World Uyghur Congress President, Dolkun Isa.

Ever since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the people of East Turkistan have been suffering under the repressive policies of the CCP, and are completely denied and deprived of their rights. Under the leadership of Xi Jinping, these policies have been exacerbated, with an intent to destroy the distinct cultural and religious identity of the Uyghurs.

On this day, the global Uyghur diaspora comes together to hold festivities of celebration and remembrance, as well as demonstrations to highlight the ongoing genocide. In Europe, the Uyghur community gathers in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate this day, and festivities are taking place in different communities around the world. The World Uyghur Congress reiterates its commitment to promote the rights of the Uyghur people and calls on the international community for stronger actions to end the Chinese government’s atrocities against Uyghurs, as expressed during the recent International Uyghur Forum in Tokyo.