ETGE Calls for U.S. and Global Attention on East Turkistan's Plight

As the United States observes Captive Nations Week, the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) has implored both the U.S. and the global community to acknowledge East Turkistan's ongoing plight under Chinese occupation. The ETGE emphasized the significance of October 12, 1949, when the People's Republic of China (PRC) invaded East Turkistan.

By December 22, 1949, the independent East Turkistan Republic fell following the assassination of its leaders, a move backed by the Soviet Union to aid PRC's occupation, the ETGE's press statement noted. In 1955, the PRC recast much of East Turkistan as the 'Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,' an attempt to legitimize its occupation and quash the East Turkistani people's quest for liberty and independence.

For the past 74 years, East Turkistan's people have consistently resisted Chinese occupation, fighting for their freedom and independence. The Captive Nations Law, enacted by the U.S. on July 17, 1959, underscores the importance of supporting liberty and independence among captive nations. East Turkistan, referred to also as Turkistan, alongside Tibet and other regions, was recognized among these captive nations.

Home to Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples, East Turkistan continues to endure severe repression, systematic genocide, and crimes against humanity by the Chinese government. 'The East Turkistan Government in Exile reiterates our urgent call to the U.S. Government and Congress to formally recognize East Turkistan as a country under Chinese occupation,' said Salih Hudayar, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Security of the ETGE.

'Condemning the Chinese occupation of East Turkistan, the root of the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity faced by our people, is a critical step towards justice and freedom,' Hudayar added. The ETGE urged the U.S. Senate to quickly pass the Uyghur Policy Act (S.1252), which includes establishing a Special Coordinator for East Turkistani/Uyghur Issues at the U.S. State Department, similar to the directive passed in H.R.2766 by the House of Representatives earlier this year.

This legislation is deemed crucial for promptly addressing East Turkistan's plight and ensuring a coordinated, comprehensive response to China's ongoing colonization, genocide, and occupation. Additionally, the ETGE called on the U.S. government to treat East Turkistan equally with Tibet by confronting and countering China's relentless propaganda, cultural and physical destruction, and systematic genocide in the occupied region. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)