Uyghur Americans Remember Urumqi Massacre’s 15th Anniversary in Washington, DC

Uyghur Americans gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, to mark the 15th anniversary of the Urumqi Massacre. The Uyghur Americans Association shared pictures of the protest on X.

The tragic events unfolded on July 5, 2009, as thousands of Uyghurs marched towards the People’s Square in Urumqi to protest the Chinese government’s handling of the Shaoguan incident. A large number of people were killed and injured in three days of violence between Uyghurs and Han Chinese.

The 15th anniversary was marked by various groups and individuals concerned with human rights, Uyghur advocacy, and remembrance of the victims. These events serve as a platform to raise awareness, commemorate the victims, and advocate for justice and accountability.

Reports indicate that Uyghurs in Xinjiang face widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detention, forced labour, and cultural repression. The Chinese government has been accused of detaining hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs in internment camps under the pretext of combating extremism and terrorism.

On July 5, The World Uyghur Congress (WUC), based in Munich, Germany, condemned the Chinese authorities for the atrocities inflicted upon the Uyghur community. The WUC demanded that the government recognize its responsibility and compensate the victims.