On the occasion of Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day, a group of over 50 Uyghur organizations from 20 countries is calling on world leaders to take immediate action to end the Chinese government’s human rights atrocities against the Uyghur people, which are internationally recognized to constitute crimes against humanity and genocide.

“One year after the judgement of the independent Uyghur Tribunal, its findings can no longer be disputed or ignored by the international community,” said Dolkun Isa, World Uyghur Congress President. “World leaders must take assertive steps to hold the Chinese government to account. Uyghur victims deserve no less.”

Exactly one year ago, the Uyghur Tribunal announced its verdict that the Chinese government has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs. In the months that followed, resolutions were passed by French, Irish, and European parliamentary bodies which followed the Tribunal’s conclusions. The Uyghur Tribunal remains the most important legal assessment of the Uyghur human rights crisis, as well as the most comprehensive body of evidence to date.

“This day honors the survivors and commemorates the victims of the atrocities—but it must also stand as a marker of our collective determination to end the genocide,” said Omer Kanat, Uyghur Human Rights Project Executive Director.

The Uyghur genocide has also prompted an increasingly strong response from UN bodies and experts. Following the long-awaited assessment by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a record number of 50 UN Member States issued a joint statement condemning the atrocities. On November 24th, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) issued a strong determination calling on China to release all detainees, cease intimidation and reprisals, and fully review its ‘national security’ and ‘counter terrorism’ frameworks in East Turkistan.

Nevertheless, the failure to pass a resolution to discuss the OHCHR report at the UN Human Rights Council, and China’s continued disregard for the UN human rights system, show that more needs to be done to end the suffering of the Uyghur people. Governments should urgently introduce forced labour regulations, impose targeted sanctions, and increase their support for diaspora communities and Uyghur refugees.

“This day of recognition is significant for Uyghurs in the diaspora and those who stand for human rights around the world. We have gone way past ‘Never Again,’ the question is when we are going to start living up to it. Let us ensure that this day is one of remembrance for the victims of this genocide, and not of our failures to act to stop it,” said Rushan Abbas, Campaign for Uyghurs Executive Director.

On Uyghur genocide recognition day, Uyghurs worldwide reflect on the important achievements that have led to the international recognition of the genocide, while commemorating the millions of victims affected by this cruel policy both in East Turkistan and abroad.

We call on governments to acknowledge their responsibilities under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention and take all necessary steps to end the ongoing Uyghur genocide.

Signed:

1. Atajurt Eriktileri – Kazakh Human Rights
2. Australian Uyghur Association
3. Alberta Uyghur Association
4. Austria Uyghur Association
5. Belgium Uyghur Association
6. Campaign for Uyghurs
7. Center for Uyghur Studies
8. Dutch Uyghur Human Rights Foundation
9. Darul Iman Association
10. East Turkistan Association of Canada
11. East Turkistan Federation
12. East Turkistan Science and Enlightenment Foundation
13. Eastern Turkistan Foundation
14. East Turkistan People’s Unity Association
15. East Turkistan Union in Europe
16. East Turkestan Union of Muslim Scholars
17. Finnish Uyghur Culture Center
18. Ili Mashrap Foundation
19. Institute of China Studies
20. International Pen Uyghur Center
21. Isa Yusup Alptekin Foundation
22. Japan Uyghur Association
23. Justice 4 Uyghurs
24. Knowledge and Service Solidarity and Cooperation Association
25. Norwegian Uyghur Committee
26. Stop China Genocide
27. Stop Uyghur Genocide
28. Sweden Uyghur Union
29. Swiss Uyghur Association
30. Taklamakan Uyghur Publish House
31. Uighur Society “Ittipak” of the Kyrgyz Republic
32. Uyghur Academy Australia
33. Uyghur Academy Canada
34. Uyghur Academy Europe
35. Uyghur Academy Foundation
36. Uyghur Academy Japan
37. Uyghur Academy USA
38. Uyghur Center for Human Rights and Democracy
39. Uyghur Cultural and Education Union in Germany
40. Uyghur Human Rights Project
41. Uyghur PEN Center
42. Uyghur Projects Foundation
43. Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project
44. Uyghur Refugee Relief Fund
45. Uyghur Research Institute
46. Uyghur Science and Civilization Research Foundation
47. Uyghur Science and Education Foundation
48. Uyghur U.K. Association
49. Uyghur Youth Union in Kazakhstan
50. Uyghuristan Republican Party
51. Victoria Uyghur Association
52. World Uyghur Congress
53. World Uyghur Congress Foundation