CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 6:00 PM ET
Sabrina Sohail: sabrina@campaignforuyghurs.org
(650) 703-4523
https://www.campaignforuyghurs.org
Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) strongly condemns the recent visit by delegations from the Arab League to East Turkistan, followed by their alarming denial of the horrific reality of ethnic genocide and religious persecution inflicted upon the Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim communities. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) manipulates these visits to secure support from Muslim-majority nations, falsely presenting their oppressive actions as necessary counter-terrorism and extremism measures. Through this deceptive strategy, Beijing seeks to conceal and legitimize its agenda of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan, while criminalizing the religion. This approach goes hand in hand with the CCP’s ongoing assault on Islam, branding sacred rituals and expressions of faith as illegal acts under the guise of maintaining stability.
Chinese state news media, the Global Times, reported the visit of a 34-member group from 16 Arab countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Algeria, to East Turkistan from May 30 to June 2. During their visit, the delegation expressed admiration for China’s efforts in promoting harmony, stability, and economic growth. However, CFU firmly asserts that these superficial impressions do not reflect the reality of the systematic oppression, pervasive surveillance, unlawful detention, sinicization of Islam, forced labor, and cultural erasure that the Uyghur population endures on a daily basis.
Executive Director Rushan Abbas said “It is disheartening to witness the Arab League delegation endorsing the Chinese government’s false narrative and turning a blind eye to the suffering of the Uyghur people. The delegation’s remarks not only disregard the overwhelming evidence of human rights abuses but also perpetuate the misrepresentation of the situation in East Turkistan. I call upon the Arab League and its member countries to listen to the testimonies of the survivors, the extensive reports from international organizations, and the mounting evidence of human rights violations. It is crucial that they recognize the severity of the situation and join the global efforts to hold the Chinese government accountable for its actions.”
CFU calls upon Muslim-majority nations and scholars to stand in solidarity with the Uyghur people on global platforms, such as the United Nations, and to refrain from endorsing China’s genocidal policies in East Turkistan through orchestrated tours organized by the Chinese regime. It is crucial to resist falling prey to China’s propaganda and economic coercion and, instead, amplify the voices of the oppressed Uyghur population. Let us shine a light on their plight, advocate for justice and human rights, and reject any form of complicity in the Uyghur genocide.
