May 18, 2012

East Turkestan: General Assembly Closes in Tokyo


The fourth General Assembly of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has concluded in Japan with the democratic election of a new body of officials and representatives for the organisation.



Below is a press release issued by the World Uyghur Congress:

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) successfully held its 4th General Assembly in Tokyo, Japan, from May 14 to 17, attended by more than 120 Uyghur delegates from 20 countries around the world. During the four-day assembly, delegates in six commissions discussed new strategies for the peaceful promotion of human rights and democracy for the Uyghur people, in light of China’s current political conditions and its upcoming change of political leadership later this year. They also held a peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo with the participation of Japanese supporters. During the rally, a representative delivered a letter to the Chinese government calling for an end to ongoing grave human rights abuses suffered by Uyghurs in their homeland. Japanese and international media covered the protest.

During the Assembly, Uyghur delegates also elected a new WUC leadership. Uyghur democracy leader Ms. Rebiya Kadeer was re-elected as WUC President.

“I am grateful to the representatives of Uyghur people around the world for placing their trust in me once again. Under my leadership, the World Uyghur Congress will continue to use nonviolent and peaceful means to promote the democratic rights of the Uyghur people,” said Uyghur democracy leader Rebiya Kadeer.

“I call on the Chinese government to end its highly repressive and systematic assimilationist policies in East Turkestan, as well as in Tibet and Southern Mongolia. I urge Chinese leaders to seriously consider the legitimate demands of Uyghurs, Tibetans and Mongols, as well as those of the Chinese people, for human rights and democratic reform, and to resolve the political questions of East Turkestan, Tibet and Southern Mongolia through peaceful negotiation.”

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) is an international organization that represents the collective interest of the Uyghur people both in East Turkestan and abroad. The main objective of the WUC is to promote democracy, human rights and freedom for the Uyghur people and use peaceful, nonviolent, and democratic means to determine their political future.

The newly elected officials of the WUC leadership are as follows:

President: Ms. Rebiya Kadeer

Vice-Presidents:

a. Middle East & Turkey: Seyit Tumturk
b. North America: Omer Kanat
c. East Asia: Ilham Mahmut
d. Europe: Umit Hemit
e. Central Asia: Abdureshit Turdiev
f. Oceania: Mamtimin Ala
g. Foreign Affairs: Asgar Can

Executive Chairman: Dolkun Isa

General Secretary: Nurmemet Musabay

Spokespersons:

a. Chinese: Dilxat Rexit
b. English: Alim Seytoff

Following the successful conclusion of the WUC 4th General Assembly, the WUC opened a three-day democratic leadership training workshop to better educate and equip Uyghur leaders to promote the democratic rights of the Uyghur people in East Turkestan.