We Strongly Condemn the Oppression Perpetrated by China in East Turkestan
Since 1949, under the administration of the People's Republic of China, human rights violations in East Turkestan have continued to increase in all areas of life.
The Chinese Government, especially in order to eliminate the local population living in the region, has implemented so-called "vocational training courses"—which were proven by satellite images and testimonies in 2018 to be "concentration camps"—and tries to present them to the world as such by concealing the crimes and criminals. In this way, it claims that it will cleanse East Turkestanis of terrorism, discrimination, and extremism. In reality, crimes categorized as crimes against humanity are committed in these camps, and many people who have stayed in the camps have not been heard from again.
Given the existence of systematic activities aimed at eradicating a nation and a religious belief, it is an undeniable fact that these acts fall within the scope of 'Crimes Against Humanity'.
Since March 2017, when the Chinese Government adopted the "Regulation on Combating Extremism," the number of Uyghur Turks detained in camps in the East Turkestan region has rapidly increased. According to the regulation, displaying religious or cultural affiliation, whether openly or even in private, including growing a "non-normal" beard, wearing a veil or headscarf, praying, fasting, abstaining from alcohol, or possessing books or writings related to Islam or Uyghur culture, is considered "extremism."
Traveling to countries with a predominantly Muslim population for work or education purposes, or communicating with people living outside China, are also among the main reasons that render individuals suspicious. Regardless of gender, age, or whether one is urban or rural, everyone is at risk of being detained.
In the report published by Amnesty International entitled 'China: Where Are They? Time to Answer for Mass Detentions in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,' these violations have been proven by witness reports. Nicholas Bequelin, East Asia Director at Amnesty International, stated regarding the issue, "The Chinese government should not be allowed to continue its dirty policies targeting ethnic minorities. Governments around the world must hold China accountable for the nightmare unfolding in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region," thereby revealing the gravity of the situation.
An entire nation is being completely denied, freedom of worship is disregarded, Turkish names and writings are being banned, and the region of East Turkestan is deliberately being called Xinjiang. Through these practices, national consciousness is being targeted for eradication. By claiming that the region is an ancient Chinese land, the history and values of the region are being ignored.
We call on all relevant parties to take responsibility at this point, urge all international institutions, especially the UN General Assembly, to immediately put preventive sanctions on the agenda, and invite the international community to take action for the Uyghur people of East Turkestan.
(Source: https://shorturl.at/Zwvd8)