On 10 December, the Uyghur Academy and Campaign for Uyghurs, together with 18 international partner organisations and with the support of numerous Uyghur groups convened a high-level conference on Capitol Hill titled “Uyghur Genocide Resistance.” The event brought together policymakers, researchers, human rights advocates, and members of the Uyghur community to highlight the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan and to honour the resilience and resistance of the Uyghur people.
The conference took place during a week of profound historical significance for the Uyghur community, coinciding with Uyghur Genocide Remembrance Day (9 December), International Human Rights Day (10 December), and the 40th anniversary of the 1985 Uyghur Student Protests in Ürümchi (12 December). Across four panel discussions, participants examined critical issues including the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide and forced labour systems, religious persecution, transnational repression, Uyghur cultural identity and resistance, and reflections on the legacy of the 1985 student movement.
UZDM President Dolkun Isa participated in the conference and spoke on two key panels. During Panel 2, he addressed the Chinese Communist Party’s religious persecution and transnational repression, highlighting how Beijing systematically targets Uyghurs and other communities beyond its borders. In the final panel, Mr. Isa reflected on the 1985 Uyghur Student Movement in Ürümchi, underscoring its historical importance as a pivotal moment in modern Uyghur history and a lasting symbol of the Uyghur people’s struggle for freedom and dignity.