ETGE rejects Uyghur migration plan from East Turkistan

Washington, DC: The Uyghur migration plan from East Turkistan to Türkiye has been rejected by the East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE). The head of Turkiye’s National Defense University, Professor Erhan Afyoncu, came up with the migration strategy.

“While we acknowledge concerns regarding Türkiye’s declining birth rates, we must emphasize that this proposal ultimately serves China’s agenda of genocide, colonization, and occupation,” ETGE said on its official website, urging that the idea is in line with China’s larger purpose. By displacing the indigenous Uyghur population with Chinese colonial immigrants, it advances China’s goal of ethnically purifying East Turkistan, the birthplace of Turkic culture and the holy territory of the Turkic people.

In response to China’s colonial, occupied, and genocidal activities, ETGE called on Türkiye to provide political and strategic assistance. ETGE also reaffirmed Türkiye’s obligation to help East Turkistan’s people recover their rightful freedom.

According to a Voice of America investigation, Uyghur organizations estimate that Türkiye is home to one of the biggest Uyghur diaspora populations outside of China, with a population of between 50,000 and 75,000. Uyghurs have sought safety in Türkiye since the 1950s as a result of what they say is harsh mistreatment by the Chinese government.

Numerous human rights violations, like mass detentions in “re-education camps,” forced labor, and extensive monitoring, are part of the persecution of Uyghurs in China, especially in Xinjiang.

The Uyghur language, religious customs, and cultural traditions have been restricted by the Chinese government, which has also been charged with religious persecution, cultural degradation, and forced assimilation.

There have been reports of forced indoctrination, family separations, and the destruction of Uyghur historical sites. China disputes these accusations, claiming they are untrue and part of an effort to combat radicalism. International organizations and human rights groups have called these activities crimes against humanity and genocide.

It is still one of the most controversial human rights problems in the world.