Last year’s attacks on the Uighurs of East Turkestan which started as violent clashes at a factory and turned into a massacre will be commemorated at a series of events which will be held by the East Turkistan Platform. The event series, named “Condemnation of East Turkestan Genocide”, will be held between 1-10 July. The event series began with a press conference in Eresin Hotel. A number of Uighurs from East Turkestan who are currently living in Turkey, MPs of AK Party, CHP, MHP, representatives of Felicity Party and Nation Party, IHH President Bulent Yildirim, Cihat Gokdemir, Head of Mazlumder’s Istanbul Office and representatives of various NGOs attended the press meeting.
The event series will continue for 10 days and include a photography exhibition, video and documentary screenings, conferences and panels. China’s genocide of Uighurs will be protested against. International community will be called to attention regarding the issue.
East Turkestan Platform, a body of NGOs formed by Uighur associations and foundations in Turkey launched a press statement which was delivered by Seyit Tumturk, Vice President of East Turkistan Council. The press statement mentioned the continuing fear of another “5th of July”, and expressed concern for the future of 30 millions of Muslim Turks living in the region. In the press statement East Turkestan Platform pointed out that ethnic genocide has been carried out in East Turkistan by striking out a violent turmoil every ten years since 1980. It is also noted that this case of injustice and oppression should immediately be taken into the UN’s agenda.
Following the press statement the guests offered short speeches. Bulent Yildirim, President of IHH, in his speech, said that one of the most important problems facing the world is the situation in East Turkestan. He noted that there is an urgent need for enforcements on Chinese government to end its inhumane practices and policies in the region. Yildirim called the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) into action for those sanctions and enforcements.
Bulent Yildirim also mentioned the $150,000,000,000 (150 billion) trade agreements between China and Muslim countries every year and he stated that commerce is the only platform that enforcements on Chinese government can be carried out regarding their policies in East Turkestan. Towards the end of the press meeting, Head of Mazlumder’s Istanbul Office Cihat Gokdemir, Attorney, provided press members and other guests with information on the violations of human rights in East Turkestan.
