Condemnation of the propaganda visit of an Arab delegation to East Turkistan during the holy month of Ramadan
The International Union of East Turkistan Organizations (IUETO) unequivocally condemns the recent visit of an Arab delegation to occupied East Turkistan during the holy month of Ramadan as a brazen act that betrays the basic principles of justice and solidarity.
Ramadan is not just a month of fasting; it is a time when we reaffirm our commitment to justice, compassion, and resistance against oppression. That is why the timing of this visit is not only disappointing but deeply reprehensible. It shows a callous disregard for the suffering of our Muslim brothers and sisters in East Turkistan who are enduring unimaginable atrocities at the hands of the Chinese authorities.
Reports emanating from East Turkistan depict a harrowing reality of systematic human rights abuses on a genocidal scale, including mass incarceration, forced labor, and cultural suppression directed at Uyghur Muslims and other Turkic Muslims in the region. East Turkistanis has been banned from performing their Islamic duties during this holy month and also in recent years: they have been forced to eat in the broad daylight of Ramadan, tarawih, and even basic five times prayer and other all religious services are strictly prohibited. Such egregious violations cannot be tolerated, let alone condoned, by diplomatic visits.
As leaders entrusted with the responsibility of representing their people, we demand accountability and integrity. It is incumbent upon Arab leaders to show unwavering solidarity with the oppressed and unequivocally condemn the grave violations taking place in East Turkistan. Any form of engagement or silence that legitimizes or ignores these atrocities is an egregious betrayal of our values and responsibilities.
Palestinians and East Turkistanis share the same struggle against their ruthless occupiers. China is using its support for Palestine to cover up its atrocities against East Turkistanis. By doing this, China will not face any opposition among the Arab-Muslim countries and will successfully divide the voice of the Muslim Ummah. We should not shut our eyes to these facts.
In this holy month of Ramadan, we call on Arab leaders to reconsider their actions and show the moral courage to stand on the right side of history. The principles of justice and human dignity are non-negotiable and must take precedence over political expediency or economic interests.
International Union of East Turkistan Organizations
29.3.2024
