East Turkistan Lobby Day: US Congress Urged to Support Uyghur Rights
The first Annual East Turkistan Lobby Day was held on Friday by the East Turkistan Government in Exile, East Turkistan National Movement, East Turkistan National Fund, and East Turkistan Parliament in Exile. Delegates and representatives from 13 US congressional offices participated, including members from the US House and Senate Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence Committees, as well as the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
In a post on ‘X,’ the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) highlighted the need for swift passage of key legislative measures such as the Uyghur Policy Act of 2023, Uyghur Genocide Intelligence Review Act, Uyghur Genocide Sanctions and Accountability Act, and the Uyghur Forced Labour Disclosure Act. These measures are seen as essential for addressing the ongoing atrocities against the Uyghur community.
The ETGE urged the US Congress to recognize East Turkistan by its rightful name and to introduce a resolution formally recognizing it as an occupied country. They emphasized that the genocide against the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples is rooted in China’s long-term colonization and occupation of East Turkistan.
The East Turkistani community called on the US Congress to support their right to external self-determination, stating that restoring East Turkistan’s independence is crucial for the survival, freedom, and human rights of the Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples. They urged the world to take decisive action against the atrocities inflicted by China, emphasizing that meaningful support and tangible results are needed to secure the future of their people.
Doubts Revealed
East Turkistan -: East Turkistan is a region in China where many Uyghur people live. Some people want it to be an independent country.
Lobby Day -: Lobby Day is when people meet with government officials to ask for support on important issues.
US Congress -: The US Congress is a group of people who make laws in the United States. It has two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Uyghur -: Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in East Turkistan. They have their own language and culture.
Government in Exile -: A Government in Exile is a group of leaders who claim to be the government of a country but are not currently in control of it. They usually live in another country.
Legislative measures -: Legislative measures are laws or rules that are proposed or passed by a government.
Atrocities -: Atrocities are very cruel and terrible actions, often involving violence and harm to many people.
Recognition -: Recognition means officially accepting or acknowledging something as true or important.