After the collapse of Soviet Union, China has accelerated its effort to permanently integrate Eastern Turkistan into its territory and tightened it policy targeted at the total assimilation of Eastern Turkistan people, specially the most numerous and most resistant Uyghurs. Under the systematic destruction of Chinese colonial rulers, the Uyghur society is falling apart among hopelessness and depression. Drug addiction, fatal diseases and other social illness are rampaging amongst Uyghur Youths. Even though the Chinese government talks about tough measures on the paper, in reality they rarely take any substantial measure to stop it. Any act taken by the Uyghurs to stop this social deterioration has been brutally suppressed by the government. We have witnessed in the past two years that China has turned from the back door practices to open ethnic discrimination and oppression of our people. The Ghulja event gave a final stroke to our Illusions and made us realize that there is no future for Uyghurs in China. Furthermore, the Central Asian countries whose independence have stimulated excitement and hope for our people, now are openly collaborating with China to suppress our desire for freedom. Our community in United States has gradually realized that it is time for us to face the harsh reality and take up the challenge because there are nobody to turn to except our selves. It is our people, it is our society and it is our own existence and values, we should take the initiative to defend ourselves. No matter how small we are, if we stand together we will become stronger for the benefit of all of us. If we unite and work together, we can make a difference for the future of our people.
After experience of the past several years, our people in Unites States have realized the need for a unified Uyghur organization to serve the needs of the growing community here and to represent the collective voice of the Uyghurs back home. Therefore, we have decide to call an Uyghur congress in Unites States to bring together all the Uyghurs in America to promote understanding among us and stimulate an exchange of opinions on the future of our people. After careful preparation for the past two months, we planned to hold the Congress in Washington D. C. on May 23, 1998. The Congress will open at 9:00 in the conference hall of Sheraton Hotel, Crystal City, Arlington.
The congress will elect a board of directors comprised of 9 people. The nominees will be produced by self nomination among the people who live in United States. Every nominee has to prepare a nominee statement to introduce him/herself and propose his vision for the organization. The speech should not exceed 10 minutes due to the time limitations. Anyone from our community in US is eligible for voting and self nomination. Considering the technical difficulties, the participants from the other countries will not participate in voting and self nomination, but their opinions and suggestions on the future work of this organization will be very crucial in starting up the activities of the organization. The meeting will be conducted openly and democratically, everyone will have a chance to have their voice heard.
Here is the functions of board of directors:
1). Chairman: organizes and oversees all activities of the organization. Must have strong organizational skills, and be able to give convincing speeches, write political articles, and has to be fluent in English, Uyghur.
2). Vice-Chairman: Collects information on Human Rights Situations and activities in Eastern Turkistan and report to the board of directors. Must have strong knowledge of Human Rights and the UN convention on Human Rights.
3). General Secretary: Coordinates the activities of Board of the directors. Keeps track of all the activities of the Association and make permanent record of them. Prepares final documents, letters and appeals that prepared by the Board of directors. Therefore the person has to be fluent in English and has strong writing skill.
4). Treasurer: Responsible for financial matters of the organization. Organizes fund raising activities and oversees spending.
5). Director of Public Relations: Makes direct contacts with US government officials and other organizations on behalf of Uyghur community. Establishes good relation with UN Human Rights organizations and other organizations.
6). Director of Education: Promotes and creates scientific, cultural exchange opportunities between Americans and Uyghurs around the world.
Assists ambitious students in Eastern Turkistan to come to US for higher learning. Responsibility includes finding schools, sending information
assisting in admission process, and finding accommodation for new students and scholars.
7). Director of Communication: Prepares brochures and leaflets, sets up the home page for the organization.
8) Directors of Publication: Responsible for journal and other publications.
9). Director of Cultural Affairs: organizes cultural activities and community gatherings.
On the top of the agenda of the organization is the establishment of an Uyghur cultural Center in one of the metropolitan areas in US. The center will be the home for the organization. It will have a library to introduce Uyghur culture, history and current situation in Eastern Turkistan to American public. It will also have the facility for public gatherings for special occasions.
-The Uyghur Congress Preparatory Committee