March 21, 2025
We the undersigned Uyghur Organizations around the world in collaboration with the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) want to express our deepest appreciation for the Trump Administration’s strong support of the Uyghur people who are now facing genocide and crimes against humanity in the hands of the Chinese government.
The recent condemnation of Secretary Marco Rubio of the forcible deportation of 40 Uyghur refugees by Thailand to China and his subsequent visa restrictions placed on the Thai officials complicit in deportation have given great hope for the Uyghur people under the new U.S. Administration. America’s long-standing and unwavering support for the Uyghurs has put authoritarian countries—like China and its autocratic allies—on notice that America stands firmly with the Uyghurs.
While we celebrate the defense of Uyghur people’s fundamental human rights by the US government, we remain deeply concerned with the prospect of closure of the only independent voice of the Uyghur people in the world – the Uyghur Service at Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Since the establishment in 1998, Uyghur Service has been a single and most crucial source of uncensored news for Uyghurs, reporting on mass detentions, forced labor, and the destruction of Uyghur culture, language and history. Despite efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to silence independent Uyghur voices, it remains one of the most credible, fact-based reporting to counter Beijing’s propaganda and disinformation campaign.
The decision to cut RFA Uyghur Service’s funding not only undermines America’s role as a defender of democracy and free speech but also gives China more power to shape global narratives in its favor, particularly against the U.S. Under Xi Jinping’s rule, China has intensified its disinformation warfare—denying its crimes, shifting blame onto the victims, and using economic coercion to silence governments worldwide. Without RFA’s fact-based reporting, China’s disinformation would go unchallenged, making it easier for Beijing to spread its lies, intimidate Uyghur exiles, and whitewash its crimes against humanity.
It is a fact that China poses the most consequential threat to U.S. national security. Under Xi Jinping, it seeks to displace the U.S. as the global superpower, using our homeland as a strategic hub for military expansion, resource extraction, and its Belt and Road Initiative. The funding cut also poses economic and security risks. China’s use of Uyghur forced labor undermines U.S. businesses by flooding markets with cheap goods, while its growing economic power strengthens its military, including advancements in technology and weapons.
Since 2017, China has relentlessly targeted Uyghur Service reporters by attacking their credibility and imprisoning their families, yet these journalists continue their vital work, knowing that without them, the world would not see the full extent of China’s atrocities. This Service has been instrumental in exposing China’s crimes, bringing global awareness, and informing U.S. policymakers. Their ground-breaking reporting played a key role in the first Trump Administration’s determination on China committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs.
Therefore, we sincerely urge the Trump Administration to resume the funding of RFA Uyghur Service and ensure the Service continues its critical work. Closing Uyghur Service would hand China a propaganda victory in the world, allowing it to declare victory over the U.S. genocide determination as the “lies of the century.”
Ana Care and Education Uyghur Program
Alberta Uyghur Association
Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association
Australian Uyghur Association
Belgium Uyghur Association
British Uyghur Association
Campaign for Uyghurs
Center for Uyghur Studies
East Turkistan Association
East Turkistan Association of Canada
East Turkistan Education and Solidarity Association
East Turkistan Union in Europa
East Turkistan Foundation
East Turkistan Information Center
East Turkistan Research Foundation
East Turkistan Ulema Association
East Turkistan Youth Association
East Turkistan Youth Independence Movement
Europa Uyghur Cultural Center
Europa Uyghur Academy
Eurasia Uyghur Academy
Free East Turkistan Association
Hira Technology and Development Foundation
Ili Meshrep Uyghur Foundation
International Union of the East Turkistan Organizations
India Uyghur Association
Irish Uyghur Culture Association
Isa Yusuf Alptekin Foundation
Justice for Uyghurs
Japan Uyghur Association
Japan Uyghur Academy
Norway Uyghur Committee
Pakistan Ömer Uyghur Foundation
East Turkistan Federation
Taklimakan Publish Hause
Stop Uyghur Genocide
Swedish Uyghur Union
Switzerland Uyghur Association
Taxes Uyghur Society
Uyghur American Association
Uyghur Academy Australia
Uyghur Academy in Canada
Uyghur Academy Foundation
Uyghur Academy International
Uyghur Academy USA
Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights
Uyghur Education and Cultural Union in Germany
Uyghur Project Foundation
Uyghur Hjelp
Uyghur Human Rights Project
Uyghur Refugee Relief Fund
Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project
Uyghur Science and Education Foundation
Victoria Uyghur Association
World Uyghur Congress Foundation
World Uyghur Congress
