The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETEG) and the East Turkistan Parliament in Exile held their Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., from November 12-13, 2024, marking the 91st anniversary of the First East Turkistan Republic, the 80th anniversary of the Second Republic, and the 20th anniversary of the ETEG. The conference brought together current and former officials, scholars, and members of the East Turkistani diaspora, focusing on appeals for international recognition of East Turkistan as an occupied state and support for Uyghur independence.
ETEG President Dr. Mamtimin Ala introduced the “White Paper” titled, “East Turkistan Was Never a Part of China and Restoring its Independence is the Only Way Forward.” This 376-page document presents evidence of China’s colonization and genocide against the Uyghur people and calls on the international community to support East Turkistan’s independence. Dr. Ala stated, “Restoring East Turkistan’s independence is the only viable path to ensure the survival of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples.”
The ETEG also launched a National Identity Card program to document East Turkistan’s exiled citizens, reinforcing their national identity and uniting the diaspora around the cause of independence. Prime Minister Abdulahat Nur noted that the identity card is an important step toward asserting East Turkistan’s sovereignty, even in exile.
ETEG Foreign Minister Salih Hudayar reiterated that restoring East Turkistan’s sovereignty is the only way to end the suffering of the Uyghur people, urging international recognition of East Turkistan as an occupied country. Hudayar called on the global community to support East Turkistan’s cause, emphasizing that silence only exacerbates the suffering of the Uyghurs.
Investigative journalist Ethan Gutmann presented evidence of mass organ harvesting targeting Uyghur and Kazakh detainees, estimating that between 25,000 to 50,000 individuals are killed annually for their organs. Gutmann urged immediate international intervention to end these gross human rights violations.
In closing, the ETEG congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on his re-election, expressing hope that the new administration would adopt stronger measures against China’s policies in East Turkistan. Dr. Ala urged the Trump administration to continue classifying Chinese abuses as genocide and to support Uyghur self-determination. “We believe that the Trump administration will prioritize ending China’s genocidal policies and take decisive steps to support our rightful struggle for independence,” Ala remarked.
The conference concluded with international appeals to increase pressure on China and bring the plight of East Turkistan to the global stage.