Campaign for Uyghurs (
Uyghur: ئۇيغۇر ھەرىكىتى;
Simplified Chinese
Simplification, Simplify, or Simplified may refer to:
Mathematics
Simplification is the process of replacing a mathematical expression by an equivalent one, that is simpler (usually shorter), for example
* Simplification of algebraic expressions, ...
: 维吾尔运动,
Traditional Chinese
A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or ...
: 維吾爾運動;
Turkish
Turkish may refer to:
*a Turkic language spoken by the Turks
* of or about Turkey
** Turkish language
*** Turkish alphabet
** Turkish people, a Turkic ethnic group and nation
*** Turkish citizen, a citizen of Turkey
*** Turkish communities and mi ...
: Uygur Hareketi;
abbreviated
An abbreviation (from Latin ''brevis'', meaning ''short'') is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word or phrase; for example, the word ''abbrevia ...
CFU) is a Washington, D.C.-based
nonprofit organization
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
. The organization operates to advocate for the democratic rights and freedoms of the
Uyghur people
The Uyghurs; ; ; ; zh, s=, t=, p=Wéiwú'ěr, IPA: ( ), alternatively spelled Uighurs, Uygurs or Uigurs, are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central Asia, Central and East As ...
, both in the
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Xinjiang, SASM/GNC: ''Xinjang''; zh, c=, p=Xīnjiāng; formerly romanized as Sinkiang (, ), officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located in the northwest ...
(called
East Turkestan
East Turkestan ( ug, شەرقىي تۈركىستان, Sherqiy Türkistan, bold=no; zh, s=东突厥斯坦; also spelled East Turkistan), is a loosely-defined geographical and historical region in the western provinces of the People's Republic of ...
by some) and around the world.
Campaign for Uyghurs describes its advocacy efforts in the framework of "
obilizingindividuals and the international community and build bridges to take action on behalf of and to raise public awareness of the Uyghur issue with a special focus on Uyghur women and youth and to activate persons and entities to work together to stop the systematic human rights abuses against the people of East Turkestan.
The organization has testified in the
US Congress
The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washingto ...
, provided policy recommendations, and hosted speaking events, such as panels of witnesses and experts, to highlight and raise awareness of the
genocidal policies that the Uyghurs are facing.
History
Campaign for Uyghurs was founded by
Rushan Abbas
Rushan Abbas ( Uyghur: روشەن ئابباس; Chinese: 茹仙·阿巴斯; born June 14, 1967) is a Uyghur American activist and advocate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. She is the founder and executive director of the no ...
in September 2017, and is staffed largely by directors within the organization. The Campaign coordinates training activities for activists who wish to become more vocal about the ongoing
Uyghur Genocide. The organization works with vulnerable populations, generally women and youth, to foster
grassroots organizing
A grassroots movement is one that uses the people in a given district, region or community as the basis for a political or economic movement. Grassroots movements and organizations use collective action from the local level to effect change at t ...
capabilities worldwide.
Rushan Abbas, in her role as Executive Director, has served to inform international governments on the developing genocide in
Xinjiang
Xinjiang, SASM/GNC: ''Xinjang''; zh, c=, p=Xīnjiāng; formerly romanized as Sinkiang (, ), officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located in the northwest ...
, including at the
Uyghur Tribunal in London in 2020. Abbas has testified before the US Congress on numerous occasions in her capacity as well, bringing attention to historically underserved aspects of the Uyghur community.
Nomination for Nobel Peace Prize
In February 2022, 2 U.S. lawmakers,
Tom Suozzi
Thomas Richard Suozzi (; born August 31, 1962) is an American politician, attorney and accountant who served as the U.S. Representative for from 2017 to 2023. His district included part of the North Shore of Long Island.
A member of the Democrat ...
of New York and
Chris Smith of New Jersey, wrote a letter to the
Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Norwegian Nobel Committee ( no, Den norske Nobelkomité) selects the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize each year on behalf of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel's estate, based on instructions of Nobel's will.
Five members are appointed by ...
, saying that the
Uyghur Human Rights Project
The Uyghur Human Rights Project ( zh, s=维吾尔人权项目, ug, ئۇيغۇر كىشىلىك ھوقۇق قۇرۇلۇشى; abbreviated UHRP) is a research-based advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. that promotes human rights for Uy ...
(UHRP) and Campaign for Uyghurs made significant contributions to building fraternity between nations and promoting peace by defending the human rights of the Uyghur, Kazakh and other predominately Muslim ethnic minorities that the
Chinese Communist Party
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), officially the Communist Party of China (CPC), is the founding and One-party state, sole ruling party of the China, People's Republic of China (PRC). Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the CCP emerged victoriou ...
(CCP) has targeted with
genocide
Genocide is the intentional destruction of a people—usually defined as an ethnic, national, racial, or religious group—in whole or in part. Raphael Lemkin coined the term in 1944, combining the Greek word (, "race, people") with the Latin ...
and other
crimes against humanity
Crimes against humanity are widespread or systemic acts committed by or on behalf of a ''de facto'' authority, usually a state, that grossly violate human rights. Unlike war crimes, crimes against humanity do not have to take place within the ...
. Both lawmakers stressed the gravity of the abuses, which include documented instances of mass detention, sexual violence, torture, forced labor, forced abortions, and sterilization of
Uyghur Muslims.
Rushan Abbas
Rushan Abbas ( Uyghur: روشەن ئابباس; Chinese: 茹仙·阿巴斯; born June 14, 1967) is a Uyghur American activist and advocate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. She is the founder and executive director of the no ...
welcomed the nomination and said: “Regardless of the outcome of the nomination, the fact that the Uyghur issue will be discussed along with the
Nobel Peace Prize
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Swedish industrialist, inventor and armaments (military weapons and equipment) manufacturer Alfred Nobel, along with the prizes in Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Chemi ...
nomination is a great victory for the Uyghur movement.”
Activities
Campaign for Uyghurs focuses activism through coordinated campaigns that address specific aspects of the
Uyghur Genocide
The Chinese government has committed a series of ongoing human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang that is often characterized as genocide. Since 2014, the Chinese government, under the a ...
. Campaign For Uyghurs is advocating for democratic rights and freedoms of the Uyghur people while highlighting the genocide being perpetrated by the CCP which is determined by a few countries internationally. The organization was recognized for its work by the World Movement for Democracy. Campaign For Uyghurs has led the launch of the Berlin-Beijing Olympics Campaign with other organizations to call for a boycott of the Beijing winter Olympic games. The organization is also very active to end Uyghur forced labor and support Uyghur women & youth in their activism.
''One Voice, One Step''
The One Voice one Step Movement was initiated by Campaign for Uyghurs on March 15, 2018. It was a global movement where hundreds of
Uyghurs
The Uyghurs; ; ; ; zh, s=, t=, p=Wéiwú'ěr, IPA: ( ), alternatively spelled Uighurs, Uygurs or Uigurs, are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uyghur ...
and supporters of the Uyghur cause demonstrated on 15 March 2018 in opposition to China's brutality and persecution of Uyghurs and their extrajudicial detention inside
concentration camps
Internment is the imprisonment of people, commonly in large groups, without charges or intent to file charges. The term is especially used for the confinement "of enemy citizens in wartime or of terrorism suspects". Thus, while it can simply ...
. Demonstrations were global and took place in 18 cities and 14 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.
''Forced Labor Fashion Week''
in collaboration with the Model Alliance, Freedom United,
World Uyghur Congress
The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) is an international organization of exiled Uyghur groups that claims to "represent the collective interest of the Uyghur people" both inside and outside of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's R ...
, Uyghur Solidarity Campaign, Free Uyghur Now student coalition, Campaign for Uyghurs organized a protest during the
New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week (NYFW), held in February and September of each year, is a semi-annual series of events in Manhattan typically spanning 7–9 days when international fashion collections are shown to buyers, the press, and the general publ ...
. The event was attended by many who stood in solidarity against China's use of Uyghur slave labor in the fashion industry.
Reports
Campaign for Uyghurs issues English language reports to help inform the international community about the threats facing
Uyghurs
The Uyghurs; ; ; ; zh, s=, t=, p=Wéiwú'ěr, IPA: ( ), alternatively spelled Uighurs, Uygurs or Uigurs, are a Turkic ethnic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the general region of Central and East Asia. The Uyghur ...
and other Turkic peoples. In July 2020, their report entitle
"The Genocide of Uyghurs by Definition of the United Nations Convention on Genocide Prevention"was released.
The report documents the various ways the
Uyghur Genocide
The Chinese government has committed a series of ongoing human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in Xinjiang that is often characterized as genocide. Since 2014, the Chinese government, under the a ...
meets the definition of Genocide established by the United Nations.
References
{{reflist
Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.
Slavery in China