PRESS RELEASE – For Immediate Release
East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE)
East-Turkistan.Net
contact@East-Turkistan.Net
2 April 2024
Washington, DC – The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) urgently calls for action as Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen prepares for a pivotal official visit to China from April 3 to April 9. The ETGE emphasizes the critical importance of addressing the ongoing genocide against Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan (referred to as “Xinjiang” by Beijing).
Dr. Mamtimin Ala, President of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, emphasized, “Secretary Yellen’s visit to Beijing presents a crucial opportunity to unequivocally condemn China’s ongoing Uyghur genocide. The prolonged humanitarian crisis in East Turkistan demands a robust and immediate response from the international community.”
The ETGE stresses the urgent need for tangible measures to hold the Chinese government accountable for its atrocities. Mr. Salih Hudayar, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Security of the East Turkistan Government in Exile, stated, “We urge Secretary Yellen to use her platform to advocate for targeted sanctions against Chinese officials and entities directly involved in the genocide Uyghurs.”
Secretary Yellen’s role extends beyond economic matters; it embodies a commitment to human rights and global justice. Her recent Congressional testimony underscores the need for decisive action against China’s ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. Despite the U.S. Government’s recognition of China’s atrocities against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic peoples as genocide and crimes against humanity, China continues to evade accountability.
The East Turkistan Government in Exile strongly opposes any form of appeasement towards the Chinese government. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Security Salih Hudayar reaffirms, “Appeasing China amidst ongoing genocide is morally reprehensible and detrimental to global justice. The United States must uphold its values and take decisive action against China’s atrocities in East Turkistan.”
Amidst Secretary Yellen’s visit, the ETGE has organized a demonstration in front of the U.S. State Department to commemorate the 34th anniversary of East Turkistan Uprising Day. The demonstration will take place on April 5, 2024, from 3 PM to 4 PM. This event serves as a solemn remembrance of the Baren Uprising of April 5, 1990, a significant moment in the recent history of East Turkistan.
The demonstration will also serve as a call to action, urging the U.S. Government to address the root cause of the issue: Chinese occupation and colonization in East Turkistan. The ETGE calls on Secretary Yellen and the U.S. Government to take meaningful action against the ongoing atrocities committed by the Chinese government in East Turkistan.
The ETGE urges Secretary Yellen to use her visit to Beijing as an opportunity to rally international support for East Turkistan and the Uyghur people. By taking a strong and principled stand against the Uyghur genocide, the United States can demonstrate its unwavering commitment to human rights and justice.
The time for action is now. The ongoing Uyghur genocide represents a grave violation of human dignity and a test of humanity’s collective conscience. As Secretary Yellen engages with Chinese leaders, let her heed the words of Elie Wiesel: “We must always take sides. Neutrality aids the oppressor, never the victim.”
