East Turkistan National Movement Calls for Action on International Youth Day to Help Uyghur and Turkic Youths
The US-based East Turkistan National Movement has urged global authorities to address the human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic youths in China’s Xinjiang region. On International Youth Day, the movement highlighted the plight of millions of Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic youths who are forcibly separated from their families and subjected to forced labor in Chinese camps and factories.
In a post on X, the East Turkistan National Movement stated, “On this #InternationalYouthDay, we demand urgent global action to address the crisis in Occupied #EastTurkistan. Millions of #Uyghur, #Kazakh, #Kyrgyz, and other Turkic youth are forcibly separated from their families and subjected to enslavement through forced labor in Chinese camps and factories.”
The movement further emphasized the need for urgent action to protect these young lives, restore their freedom, and preserve their identity. They stated, “Silence is not an option. We must act now to protect these young lives, restore their freedom, and preserve their identity from being erased forever. The future of an entire people hangs in the balance. Restoring East Turkistan’s independence is the only way to secure the freedom, dignity, and future of our youth.”
Activists have reported that many Uyghur youths are coerced into forced labor, working under harsh conditions in various industries. The US government has extended its import ban to additional Chinese companies over alleged human rights abuses related to Uyghur citizens. The Department of Homeland Security added five new companies to its blacklist as part of efforts to eliminate goods made with forced labor from the U.S. supply chain.
The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List, created under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), aims to address and curb the use of forced labor involving Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities in China’s Xinjiang region. The Uyghur people, a largely Muslim ethnic group, have historically sought either independence or increased autonomy from China. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has attracted significant international attention due to allegations of human rights violations, including widespread detentions in “re-education camps” and instances of forced labor.
Doubts Revealed
East Turkistan National Movement -: This is a group that wants to make East Turkistan, a region in China, an independent country. They are concerned about the people living there, especially the Uyghur and other Turkic youths.
International Youth Day -: This is a special day celebrated on August 12th every year to focus on the problems and needs of young people all around the world.
Uyghur -: Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in the Xinjiang region of China. They have their own language and culture, which is different from the majority of people in China.
Kazakh -: Kazakh people are another group who live in Xinjiang and other parts of Central Asia. They also have their own language and traditions.
Kyrgyz -: Kyrgyz people are a Turkic ethnic group living in Central Asia, including parts of Xinjiang. They have their own unique culture and language.
Xinjiang -: Xinjiang is a large region in the northwest of China. It is home to many different ethnic groups, including Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz.
forced into labor -: This means making people work very hard without giving them a choice. In this case, it is reported that Uyghur and other Turkic youths are made to work in camps and factories against their will.
restore East Turkistan’s independence -: This means that the East Turkistan National Movement wants East Turkistan to become a separate country again, free from Chinese control.
US import ban -: This means that the United States has decided not to buy products from certain Chinese companies because they are accused of treating people badly, like forcing them to work.
