CFU PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2024, 5:00 PM
Contact: contact@campaignforuyghurs.org
+1 650-703-4523
https://campaignforuyghurs.org
Washington, D.C.—Uyghur Academy in close partnership with Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU), World Uyghur Congress, Center for Uyghur Studies, and Uyghur American Association, proudly hosted the event “Uyghur Genocide: Defending Rights, Identity, and Culture” on December 4, on Capitol Hill. The event brought together policymakers, stakeholders, human rights advocates, and community leaders to address the ongoing Uyghur genocide and the cultural erasure orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The program included powerful discussions on transnational repression, forced labor, and cultural destruction, as well as an Uyghur Visual Art Exhibition showcasing the rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes of the Uyghur homeland.
Notable speakers included Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives; Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chair and Ranking Member of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party; Representatives Tom Suozzi and Chris Smith, Uyghur Caucus Co-Chairs; Representative Joe Wilson, Chairman of the Helsinki Commission; Representative Young Kim; Dr. Dafna Rand, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor; Mr. Michael Schiffer, Assistant Administrator of United States Agency for International Development; Mr. Damon Wilson, President of the National Endowment for Democracy; Ms. Kimber Shearer, Executive Vice President of the International Republican Institute; Mr. Scott Worden, Director of Afghanistan and Central Asia Programs at the U.S. Institute of Peace; Sara Cohen, Deputy Head of Mission for Foreign Policy and National Security at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; Muddassar Ahmed, Fellow at the German Marshall Fund; Sara Minkara, Special Advisor on International Disability Rights; Tencho Gyatso, President of the International Campaign for Tibet; Elfidar Iltebir, President of the Uyghur American Association; Zumretay Arkin, Vice President of the World Uyghur Congress among other esteemed guests.
Dr. Rishat Abbas, President of the Uyghur Academy, opened the event with a powerful call to action, stressing the urgent need to address the ongoing Uyghur crisis. He stated, “As the CCP continues to launch its genocide against the Uyghurs, the world cannot simply stand idly by. All members of the global community must impose sanctions upon this regime or others will continue to face its relentless cruelty.”
Bipartisan legislative leaders reaffirmed their commitment to holding the CCP accountable and advocating for the safety and justice of the Uyghur people. Representative Kim emphasized the importance of the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act in protecting Uyghur culture and safeguarding their rights. Representative Suozzi underscored the importance of the Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act, in pursuing justice for Uyghur victims. Representative Smith called for greater awareness of the CCP’s genocidal tactics against the Uyghur population and urged support for Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act to combat these horrific practices.
CFU Executive Director Rushan Abbas closed the event with a powerful statement emphasizing unity in countering the CCP’s human rights abuses: “The CCP’s genocide is not just an attack on the Uyghur people but on the very principles of freedom and human dignity. Together, we must demand accountability and protect the rights of those who cannot speak for themselves.”
This event served as a powerful reminder of the collective power in advocating for those enduring injustice, the urgency of addressing the ongoing Uyghur genocide, and the importance of preserving Uyghur culture and heritage. CFU applauds the collaborative efforts demonstrated by policymakers and advocates, as well as the bipartisan unity shown in the fight against genocide and oppression.
