The panel, chaired by Abdulhamit Karahan, President of the Uyghur Academy Foundation and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of the World Uyghur Congress, began with the Turkish National Anthem and the East Turkistan National Anthem. The first speaker, Professor Mehmet Öz, President of the Turkish Hearths, was invited to the podium.
Öz stated that the Turkish Hearths organization has supported the national struggle of East Turkistan since its establishment in 1912. He emphasized that the East Turkistan issue is a national matter for Turkey and the Turkish people, urging Turkish politicians to take action against the assimilation and genocide in East Turkistan. He also expressed confidence that oppressive powers like China would eventually collapse, leading to East Turkistan’s independence.
The discussion portion of the event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erkin Ekrem, former interim president of the World Uyghur Congress. In his remarks, Ekrem underlined that the East Turkistan struggle has persisted for over 140 years and has evolved into an international issue. He criticized Turkish and Muslim states for siding with China instead of supporting their Uyghur brothers, contrasting this with Western nations, led by the United States, that have backed the Uyghur cause. Ekrem stressed that Turkey must prioritize the Uyghur issue for its own national interests.
During the discussion, Abdulhamit Karahan provided an in-depth introduction to East Turkistan, including its geography, history, culture, customs, and major cities. He presented a detailed overview of the current situation, showcasing visual evidence of China’s assimilation and genocide policies.
Next, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nametcan Mehmet Orhan, a faculty member at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University’s Faculty of Medicine and Director of the Higher Education Committee of the Uyghur Academy, explained the significance of December 9th Uyghur Genocide Day. He linked it to China’s assimilation and genocide policies and the United Nations Genocide Convention. Orhan also outlined the independent Uyghur Tribunal held in London, which, on December 9th, ruled on China’s genocide and crimes against humanity.
The final speaker, Ümit Yardım, former Turkish Ambassador to Moscow and Tehran, delivered a presentation on the East Turkistan issue and the responsibilities of states in the international arena. Drawing on international relations, international law, and relevant UN articles, Yardım described the East Turkistan issue as an occupation by China. He called on not only democratic Western states but also Turkic and Muslim nations, particularly Turkey, to lead the efforts to resolve the issue.
The event concluded with Abdulhamit Karahan reading a press release prepared for December 9th Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day. In the closing speech, Prof. Dr. Erkin Amet urged Turkey to take a more active stance against China’s assimilation and genocide crimes in East Turkistan.
