The 9th East Turkistan General Assembly, convened under the auspices of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) and the East Turkistan Parliament in Exile (ETPE), successfully concluded its sessions in the Washington, DC Capitol Region, United States, from November 10th to November 12th, 2023.

This assembly holds particular historical significance as November 12, 2023, marks the 90th anniversary of the First East Turkistan Republic (1933-1934) and the 79th anniversary of the Second East Turkistan Republic (1944-1949). These milestones in our national history represent the enduring spirit and continuous struggle of the East Turkistani people for their sovereignty and national independence.

The Assembly officially commenced on November 10th, preceded by a vital strategic planning session on November 9th, led by a foreign strategist. This session was dedicated to developing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the East Turkistan Government in Exile and advance East Turkistan’s national independence.

The 9th General Assembly underscored that the restoration of East Turkistan’s national independence is imperative to terminate China’s ongoing barbaric campaign of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan. It culminated with the election of a new government leadership including President Dr. Mamtimin Ala, Vice President Sayragul Sauytbay, and Prime Minister Abdulahat Nur, the establishment of new Parliamentary Committees, and the development of a 4-year strategic plan to advance East Turkistan’s cause for national independence.

Key resolutions and pledges, and calls to action include:

1. Unwavering Commitment to National Independence: Our foremost resolution is the relentless pursuit of East Turkistan’s national independence, fundamental for the preservation, dignity, and rights of our people.
2. Prioritizing East Turkistan’s National Interests: In our unwavering pursuit of East Turkistan’s national independence, we commit to prioritizing the national interests of East Turkistan in every diplomatic endeavor and cooperative initiative. This commitment ensures that all actions are in strict alignment with our foundational objectives and Constitution. We hereby express our readiness to engage in cooperation with a diverse array of nations, governments, organizations, and individuals. This includes those East Turkistani organizations and individuals who demonstrate a genuine and steadfast commitment to the just cause of restoring East Turkistan’s national independence.
3. Promoting Unity Among All Peoples of East Turkistan: We emphasize the importance of unity and solidarity among all the peoples of East Turkistan, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Tatars, and others. We believe that our strength lies in our unity, and we pledge to work towards a future where all ethnic groups in East Turkistan are equally represented, respected, and empowered. This unity is fundamental in our struggle for national independence, ensuring that every voice in East Turkistan is heard and valued in our collective journey towards freedom and national independence.
4. Strengthening the East Turkistan Government in Exile: We pledge to further bolster the professional capabilities and impact of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, ensuring potent diplomatic engagement and worldwide advocacy.
5. Resisting Erasure of East Turkistan’s Identity: We call upon the international community, including governments, organizations, media, and individuals, to resist Chinese efforts to erase East Turkistan’s identity by using the true name ‘EAST TURKISTAN’ instead of the Chinese colonial term “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region,” “Xinjiang,” or other variants such as “Uyghur Region.”
6. Declaration of the East Turkistan Genocide Remembrance Day: We declare January 19th as ‘East Turkistan Genocide Remembrance Day’ internationally, to honor the victims of China’s ongoing genocide against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan and to heighten global awareness and solidarity.
7. Counteracting Chinese Intelligence and Transnational Repression: We implore the international community to proactively combat Chinese intelligence and transnational repression, safeguarding our global community and the East Turkistani national cause from Chinese influence, infiltration, and intimidation.
8. International Support: We appeal to the global community – governments, organizations, and individuals – to extend comprehensive support for East Turkistan through diplomatic recognition, economic aid, and political support.
9. Recognition of East Turkistan as an Occupied Country: We call on democratic nations to formally recognize East Turkistan as an Occupied Country, akin to Tibet.
10. Call for Decolonization: We call on the international community to support the decolonization and independence of East Turkistan under the UN Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples (General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV)).
11. Obtaining Justice Through the International Criminal Court: We call on the international community, especially governments, to support East Turkistan’s legal complaint against Chinese officials, including Xi Jinping, for genocide and other crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, in the same manner as they have supported Ukraine’s case and efforts to obtain justice. Additionally, we encourage states to bring similar cases through the International Court of Justice.
12. International Collaboration Against Genocide and Strategic Threats: We commit to collaborating closely with international entities to end the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan. Furthermore, we call on democratic nations to acknowledge and confront the strategic existential threat that China represents to democracy, freedom, human rights, the rules-based international order, and national sovereignty.

Through this declaration, we stand united and steadfast in our quest for a free and independent East Turkistan. We invite our global diaspora community, allies, and the international community to unite with us in solidarity as we proceed with determination and optimism towards our objectives.