Nov 14, 2017

East Turkestan: Dolkun Isa Elected as New President of WUC


Photo courtesy of : Modern Diplomacy 

This weekend [11-12 November 2017] in Munich, Germany, Uyghurs living in more than a dozen of different countries gathered to elect UNPO Vice-President Dolkun Isa as the new President of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). Former President Rebiya Kadeer has passed on her power but remains committed to empower younger generations to strengthen the struggle for Uyghurs’ freedom. While the repression against the Uyghurs has grown stronger over the past months, Dolkun Isa emphasised the need for unity among Uyghurs around the world and his will to cooperate with civil society and governments supporting human rights.

Below is a press release published by the WUC:

The World Uyghur Congress concluded its 6th General Assembly in Munich, Germany by maintaining its firm commitment to supporting the rights of the Uyghur population in East Turkestan. Former President Rebiya Kadeer was approved by the delegates as new Special Leader, and the meeting also saw the election of long-time Uyghur activist and co-founder of the WUC, Dolkun Isa, as its new president, former vice-president, Omer Kanat, elected as Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Over 100 WUC delegates hailing from 18 countries met from November 10 to 12 to identify and prioritize the issues and challenges that the organization must address, and to develop a working strategy to advance the WUC mission of promoting freedom, human rights, and democracy for the Uyghur people. Delegates also participated in the WUC’s triennial leadership elections.

The opening ceremony was addressed by distinguished guests including current and former Members of the European Parliament, a member of the German Bundestag, politicians from the Bavarian regional government, academics, and leaders of civil society, who all expressed broad support and solidarity for the Uyghur cause.

In his remarks as the newly elected president, Dolkun Isa emphasized the spirit of unity among Uyghurs in exile and WUC’s duty to speak with moral clarity. He pledged to cooperate closely with all civil society and governments supporting freedom and justice, and expressed his firm conviction that the Uyghur people will someday realize their democratic rights and freedoms.

In his new role as chairman of the executive committee, consisting of elected officers residing in a dozen countries, Omer Kanat remarked, “I am pleased with the very strong team we have in place to carry forward the WUC’s work on the pressing issues facing the Uyghur people today.”

In addition, the delegates recognized the unparalleled contributions of former President and long time Uyghur activist Rebiya Kadeer with an honorary role with the organization. Ms. Kadeer reaffirmed her dedication to championing the rights of the Uyghur people and expressed her confidence in the upcoming work of the WUC.

Delegates passed several resolutions underscoring the organization’s commitment to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the fundamental spirit of all the rights therein, and its founding principle of pursuing purely peaceful, non-violent action in support of its objectives.

The closing ceremony was centered around a Uyghur cultural event that included a performance by members of the London Uyghur Ensemble, traditional dance and the recitation of poetry. The event allowed members of the Uyghur community from around the world to share in their common culture and heritage as the WUC looks to protect Uyghur identity going forward.