East Turkistan Government in Exile Urges Uyghurs to Avoid Travel to Xinjiang
The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) has called on the Uyghur community living abroad to avoid traveling to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR). They claim that such travel supports Chinese oppression and weakens international efforts against it.
In a statement, the ETGE said, ‘East Turkistanis who travel to and from Occupied East Turkistan amidst the ongoing Uyghur Genocide aid the Chinese invaders and oppressors and undermine our independence efforts. Such actions legitimize China’s crimes, weaken international support, and bolster China’s false propaganda.’
The ETGE urged the community to cancel travel plans, refuse cooperation, and report those who travel back and forth. They emphasized that these actions impact national security and the fight against the ongoing genocide.
The statement highlighted the severe conditions faced by people in East Turkistan, including genocide, imprisonment, and concentration camps. It questioned how anyone could align with the aggressors, calling it an act of betrayal.
The ETGE also pointed out that the Chinese government issues visas to East Turkistan only if travelers agree to act as spies. They warned that each visit plays into the hands of the Chinese invaders, legitimizing their crimes and nullifying the efforts of East Turkistanis in exile.
The statement further detailed the atrocities faced by the Uyghur and other Turkic communities, including forced sterilizations, violations, slave labor, and the separation of children from their parents for brainwashing and assimilation.
The ETGE concluded that each visit by travelers provides China with an opportunity to justify its ethnic cleansing crimes, weakens international sympathy, and diminishes support for their independence struggle.
Doubts Revealed
East Turkistan Government in Exile -: This is a group of people who say they are the true leaders of East Turkistan, but they live outside their homeland because they don’t agree with the current rulers.
Uyghurs -: Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in a place called Xinjiang in China. They have their own language and culture.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) -: This is a large area in China where many Uyghur people live. It’s called ‘autonomous’ because it has some special rules to help the local people keep their culture.
Chinese oppression -: This means that the Chinese government is being very strict and unfair to the Uyghur people, making their lives very hard.
genocide -: Genocide is when a group of people is being hurt or killed just because of who they are, like their race or religion.
imprisonment -: This means putting people in jail. In this context, it means many Uyghurs are being put in jail unfairly.
spies -: Spies are people who secretly collect and share information, usually for a government. The ETGE is worried that Uyghurs who visit Xinjiang might be forced to do this.
legitimizes -: This means making something seem fair or right. The ETGE thinks that visiting Xinjiang makes the Chinese government’s actions look okay, even if they are not.
independence struggle -: This is the fight to become a separate and free country. The ETGE wants East Turkistan to be independent from China.
