Statement issued by the Presidential Office of the East Turkistan Government in Exile:

EDMONTON | April 30, 2020

Earlier this week, on April 27, 2020, an organization calling itself the “Ilham Tohti Institute” issued a press release claiming to promote and expand Ilham Tohti’s ideology, which according to them allegedly opposes separation and advocates living in unity with the Chinese occupation forces. According to treacherous organizations’ blathering, Ilham Tohti’s ideology is supposedly one that rejects separation and advocates for all nations under Chinese occupation to continue living together under Chinese rule.

This is completely false; it is deception and an attempt to delude the truth. Ilham Tohti is under a lot of pressure by the Chinese occupation forces, therefore any statements he has made cannot truly be viewed and accepted as being made by his own free will. Ilham Tohti is currently in prison and under a lot of pressure, therefore any statements made by Ilham Tohti in regard to the overall interest of East Turkistan and its people cannot be seen as representing the desire of East Turkistan’s people.

The East Turkistan Government in Exile strongly condemns the “Ilham Tohti Institutes” press release and views it as an act of betrayal towards East Turkistan and its people.

The independence of East Turkistan is the principal desire held by the people of East Turkistan. Any statements or actions, which undermine our people’s desire, made by any group or organization is treason and no one has the right to betray our nation and its desire to regain its independence.

Independence is a right that the people of East Turkistan can never give up and it is the moral duty and responsibility of every East Turkistani to defend this right. Thus, the East Turkistan Government in Exile calls on all East Turkistanis, individuals and organizations alike, in the diaspora to condemn this act of betrayal which the so-called “Ilham Tohti Institute” has undertaken.

No matter what the excuses maybe, the East Turkistan Government in Exile will not allow any individual or organizations to betray our people’s desire for independence!