“Physical and Cultural Genocide Is Taking Place in East Turkistan”

The historical identity of East Turkistan, the human rights violations taking place today, and Türkiye's responsibility were discussed at IZU. In the program, where Prof. Dr. Abdülhamit Avşar, President of the East Turkistan Foundation, was the speaker, it was emphasized that the East Turkistan issue is a matter of conscience the Turkish and Islamic world. 

 The program titled “How Should the East Turkistan Issue Be Interpreted?” organized by the IZU Political Science Club, was held at the Abdullah Tivnikli Conference Hall. IZU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Erhan İçener, academics, and students attended the program, in which Prof. Dr. Abdülhamit Avşar, faculty member at Istanbul Commerce University and President of the East Turkistan Foundation, was the speaker. The historical background of East Turkistan, the human rights violations it faces today, and Türkiye’s responsibility were addressed during the program.

ACAR: “EAST TURKISTAN IS OUR BLEEDING WOUND”
In his opening speech, IZU Rector Prof. Dr. Ahmet Cevat Acar emphasized that the East Turkistan issue is not merely a regional problem but a matter of conscience concerning the entire Turkish and Islamic world. Acar stated, “East Turkistan is our bleeding wound. The suffering of our brothers and sisters in faith and lineage is our suffering. The increase in our awareness strengthens our hope for the future.”

“EAST TURKISTAN HAS NEVER BEEN CHINESE TERRITORY AT ANY POINT IN HISTORY”
Prof. Dr. Abdülhamit Avşar underlined that East Turkistan has never been Chinese territory at any point in history and stressed that the region was governed by Turkish states until 1754. Noting that East Turkistan has held strategic importance for China throughout history, Avşar described, with examples, the inhumane practices implemented by China after occupying the region following the Communist Revolution of 1949. He also evaluated the process that began with the 2009 Urumqi Uprising, stating that the uprising was suppressed “almost like a genocide.” Avşar said that conditions worsened further after 2012, adding, “Millions of people were taken to detention camps. Unimaginable and intolerable torture took place in these camps. Uyghur-language education was gradually abolished across the country. Both physical and cultural genocide is being carried out in the region. China is trying to erase Turkistan from the stage of history. However, as long as Türkiye does not withdraw its support, it is not possible for China’s assimilation policies in the region to succeed.”