Press Release – For Immediate Release
November 13, 2023
Contact: East Turkistan Government in Exile
Website: www.East-Turkistan.net
Phone: +1 202 599 2244, Ext:1
Email: contact@east-turkistan.net
WASHINGTON — The East Turkistan Government in Exile, along with the East Turkistan Parliament in Exile, proudly announces the completion of the 9th East Turkistan General Assembly. This momentous event took place from November 10-12, 2023, in the Washington Capitol Region, United States.
Marking significant milestones, the assembly coincided with the 90th anniversary of the First East Turkistan Republic (1933-1934) and the 79th anniversary of the Second East Turkistan Republic (1944-1949). These commemorations represent the enduring spirit and continuous struggle of the East Turkistani people for their sovereignty and national independence.
The assembly was preceded by a strategic planning session on November 9, focusing on developing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the East Turkistan Government in Exile and secure East Turkistan’s national independence.
This year’s assembly brought together 60 newly elected members of the East Turkistan Parliament in Exile, representing East Turkistani diaspora communities from 13 countries. The Opening Session included keynote addresses by Departing Prime Minister Salih Hudayar and Departing President Ghulam Yaghma. Over a dozen foreign observers and guest speakers, made up of foreign parliamentarians, government officials, strategists, researchers, and human rights activist participated, including:
- Prime Minister Ahkmed Zakayev of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria Government in Exile
- Mexican Parliament Deputy Salvador Caro
- U.S. Strategist and Sinologist Ben Lowsen
- Former U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at Veteran Affairs John Wagner
- Former U.S. National Security Council Strategic Planning Director General Robert Spalding
- Former Deputy Associate Director for Operations at the White House Office of Presidential Personnel
- Jason Jones, President of the Vulnerable People’s Project
- China specialist and researcher Ethan Gutmann
- NATO European Development Committee Chairman Gunther Fehlinger
Special attention was given to the personal testimonies of concentration camp survivors Sayragul Sautybay and Tursunay Ziyawudun, whose stories profoundly impacted the attendees.
A primary focus of the assembly was to strategize legal and practical measures to address China’s ongoing genocide against Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples. The event also aimed to unite the East Turkistani diaspora in support of the East Turkistan Government in Exile in order to secure the restoration of East Turkistan’s independence.
The assembly concluded with the election of new government leadership, including President Dr. Mamtimin Ala, Vice President Dr. Sayragul Sauytbay, and Prime Minister Abdulahat Nur. New Executive Council and Cabinet of Ministers as well as new Parliamentary Committees were established, and a 4-year strategic plan was formulated to advance East Turkistan’s cause for national independence.
A 12-point Declaration was adopted, encapsulating key resolutions and pledges from the East Turkistan Government in Exile, and calls to action for the East Turkistan diaspora and the global community to support East Turkistan’s struggle for independence.
