At the Bishkek summit, the exiled East Turkestan government criticized Turkic states for their silence on China’s genocide

The East Turkestan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) strongly condemned the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) following its recent summit in Bishkek.

In a sharp statement, ETGE officials expressed outrage at the OTS’s failure to acknowledge or condemn the ongoing genocide and brutal occupation of East Turkestan by China.

ETGE President Mamtimin Alaa expressed his/her deep disappointment and described OTS’s silence as a betrayal of the unity and solidarity that the organization seeks to uphold. Ala declared, “East Turkestan, the cradle of Ottoman civilization, is being systematically destroyed under Chinese colonial occupation.” “The silence of the Ottoman states in the face of this atrocity is a betrayal of their own brothers and sisters who are facing genocide. History will not forgive those who turned their backs on their family members in their time of greatest need.

The people of East Turkistan, including the Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and other Turkic peoples, have endured Chinese oppression for more than 75 years. Despite its geographical, cultural and linguistic ties to the region, the OTS has failed to take meaningful action and has remained silent while these atrocities continue.

ETGE Foreign Minister Salih Hudayar also condemned the OTS summit for addressing international issues while failing to acknowledge the plight of the more than 40 million Turks suffering beyond their borders. “The OTS addressed the concerns of distant countries but turned a blind eye to the cries of our people facing genocide,” Hudayar said. “We demand that the OTS break its silence and stand with its Turkish brothers and sisters.”

ETGE calls on the OTS to unequivocally condemn the ongoing genocide against the Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and other Turkic peoples in East Turkestan and to take all available diplomatic and economic measures to end China’s occupation.

ETGE also urges the OTS to recognize East Turkistan’s right to self-determination and independence by the principles of international law and justice. Furthermore, ETGE demands that the OTS cease all cooperation with the Chinese government and take concrete action to liberate East Turkestan from Chinese colonization, genocide and occupation, thereby protecting the sovereignty of all Turkic states.

The ETGE call comes at a critical juncture, with global attention focused on rising geopolitical tensions. ETGE vows to continue its struggle for the independence of East Turkistan and the security of its people, and emphasizes the full support of the Ottoman world in this fight for justice.

As the representative body of the people of East Turkestan, ETGE works to raise global awareness of the genocide, occupation, and human rights abuses committed by the Chinese government against the Uyghur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic peoples. It advocates the restoration of the region’s independence and sovereignty, remaining steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice for East Turkestan.