The government of East Turkistan in exile asks the US Senate to immediately adopt the Uighur Policy Act

The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) urgently calls on the United States Senate to immediately pass the Uyghur Policy Act (S. 1252).

“This key legislation must be consistent with the House version (H.R. 2766) introduced by Rep. Young Kim and passed on February 15, 2024, to establish a Special Coordinator for Uyghur Affairs at the Department of State,” ETGE said in a statement.

The people of East Turkistan have been supporting this position since 1997, striving for parity with Tibet in US policy.

On February 20, 2024, ETGE, leading a coalition of 60 East Turkistan and Uyghur organizations from across the diaspora, sent a joint letter to Congress calling on it to recognize East Turkistan as an occupied country under Chinese colonization and calling for the speedy passage of the Uyghur Policy Act.

“We call on the U.S. Senate to act quickly and decisively. The Uyghur Policy Act is not just a piece of legislation; is a salvation for millions suffering from China’s brutal occupation in East Turkestan,” said Salih Hudayar, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security of ETGE.

The recent passage of the Resolve Tibet Act by the US Senate has brought hope to both Tibetans and East Turkistani. However, there remains a clear inconsistency in US policy between its position towards East Turkestan and Tibet.

In addition to passing the Uyghur Policy Act, ETGE calls on Congress to quickly introduce and pass the East Turkistan Settlement Act, similar to the Tibet Resolution Act. Such legislation would strengthen the United States’ commitment to addressing the root causes of the humanitarian crisis in East Turkistan and support the people of East Turkistan’s pursuit of justice and external self-determination.

ETGE also calls on the U.S. government to counter disinformation about East Turkestan propagated by the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party. This includes correcting historical narratives and using the indigenous name East Turkestan instead of the Chinese colonial term “Xinjiang (New Territory or Colony)”.

The urgent need to address the root cause of the ongoing genocide in East Turkestan cannot be overemphasized. Chinese colonization and occupation are at the heart of this crisis. ETGE calls on Congress to introduce and adopt a resolution recognizing the status of East Turkistan as an occupied country, following the example of US policy towards Tibet.

“The United States Congress has a historic opportunity to lead the international community in defense of justice, human rights and self-determination. By passing the Uyghur Policy Act and recognizing the plight of East Turkistan, they can help end the ongoing genocide and support our pursuit of freedom and self-determination in line with existing U.S. policies such as the Captive Nations Act,” said Dr. Mamtimin Ala, President of the Government of East Turkistan at exile.

The East Turkistan Government-in-exile remains committed to supporting the rights and freedoms of the people of East Turkistan and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that their voices are heard and their plight is resolved internationally.