For Immediate Release
December 10, 2004
Contact: Meagan Landry, (202) 349-1494

In acknowledgement of Human Rights Day, The Uyghur American Association and Uyghur Human Rights Project call upon the government of the People’s Republic of China to reform its brutal policies towards dissidents in East Turkistan who peacefully seek democratic representation and the protection of their human rights.

The Chinese government’s long-standing policies against the Uyghur population of East Turkistan have only worsened since the horrific attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. For decades, the Chinese government has sought to economically and socially marginalize the Uyghur people, and cruelly suppress all attempts to dissent against Chinese policies.

Since September 11, 2001, the Chinese government intensified its oppression of the Uyghur people by intensifying the Strike Hard Campaign. Arrests of peaceful dissidents have increased, as have convictions resulting from closed trials and swift executions. By falsely labeling peaceful dissidents as terrorist threats, the Chinese government is using the global war on terror as a smokescreen for its inexcusable actions.

UAA and UHRP, on behalf of the Uyghur American community, condemn these ruthless actions and call upon the Chinese leadership to conform to international human rights standards.

We call upon the Chinese government to:

-Release all Uyghur prisoners of conscience, including Mrs. Rebiya Kadeer and Mr. Tohti Tuniyaz

-Stop pressuring nations to return Uyghur refugees who have sought refuge from persecution in China, and stop executing refugees upon their return to China

-Stop falsely labeling peaceful Uyghur dissidents as terrorists, and stop brutally suppressing the expression of political dissent

-Allow the Uyghur language to be taught at all academic levels

-Stop exploiting the resources of East Turkistan, stop polluting the environment through nuclear testing and unwise water use, and rampant industrialization

We also ask the US and other governments concerned about human rights to apply pressure to the People’s Republic of China to respect and protect the human rights of its own citizens.

UAA Board of Directors