5 July Uyghur Commemoration in The Hague
UNPO Facilitate Joint Demonstration by Uyghurs in The Hague
Statement by UNPO General Secretary, Mr. Marino Busdachin
The Hague, 6 July 2010
The Hague, 6 July 2010
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) facilitated a joint protest with Vereniging Uyghuren Nederland (VUN) and Turks Academische Studenten Associatie (TASA) on 5 July. The peaceful gathering was organised to commemorate the many lives that were lost in Urumqi, East Turkestan on 5 July 2009, when clashes between the native Uyghur and the Han Chinese population led to the death of more than two hundred people. Moments of silence and speeches to the crowd were symbols of respect and solidarity towards those Uyghur protesters attacked with disproportionate force by paramilitary forces. The events a year ago left hundreds dead, disfigured and many remain imprisoned as a result. Uyghur refugees living abroad also face refoulement due to political pressure from China.
Violence and oppression are not new to East Turkestan, the ethnic Uyghur community has endured systematic discrimination and continued attempts to dilute their culture. The protest marked a chance for Uyghurs in the Netherlands to express their support and tell their stories. The event sparked much media interest and the blue flags and t-shirts attracted a large crowd of interested onlookers. Over 100 Uyghurs stood peacefully on the Plein in The Hague to have their voices heard and to speak out for their loved ones in East Turkestan, who are not in the position to openly voice their opinions.
Violence and oppression are not new to East Turkestan, the ethnic Uyghur community has endured systematic discrimination and continued attempts to dilute their culture. The protest marked a chance for Uyghurs in the Netherlands to express their support and tell their stories. The event sparked much media interest and the blue flags and t-shirts attracted a large crowd of interested onlookers. Over 100 Uyghurs stood peacefully on the Plein in The Hague to have their voices heard and to speak out for their loved ones in East Turkestan, who are not in the position to openly voice their opinions.
UNPO therefore urges the Chinese government to investigate this atrocity and produce accurate data regarding the lives lost in 2009, and asks international organizations to join with UNPO members in publicly voicing their concern over the systematic brutality shown towards the Uyghur population in China.
For more information you can email to unpo[at]unpo.org or call the office on +31 (0)70 36 46 504
The original UNPO Press Release can be found here.
Comments from the Dutch MP Harry van Bommel can be found on his weblog.
