Joint Statement by Uyghur Associations of Canada and France: Calling for Increased International Attention to Human Rights and Collective Protection of Uyghur Rights

Preface: The Call of the Ummah and the Trial of Justice

In the spring of 2026, a period marked by turmoil and transformation, the global Muslim community (Ummah) has once again heard the cries of their brothers and sisters from East Turkestan. Recently, the Uyghur Association of Canada (UAC) and the Association des Ouïghours de France (AOF) issued a historic joint statement simultaneously in Ottawa and Paris. This statement is not only an indictment of a human rights crisis but also a solemn appeal to global forces of justice, particularly the Muslim world. As a community of faith, we must realize that the suffering of the Uyghur people is not merely a geopolitical game, but a severe challenge to the core Islamic teachings of "justice, compassion, and solidarity" [World Uyghur Congress](https://www.uyghurcongress.org).

The Core of the Joint Statement: Defending the Right to Faith and Survival

The joint statement details the systematic oppression faced by the Uyghur community in recent years. It points out that despite several resolutions passed by the international community, cultural genocide and religious restrictions against Uyghurs have not ceased. In East Turkestan, mosques have been demolished or repurposed, copies of the Quran confiscated, and fasting during Ramadan labeled as a manifestation of "extremism." The President of the Uyghur Association of Canada emphasized at the press conference: "We are not only fighting for political rights; we are fighting for our right to exist as Muslims" [Uyghur Human Rights Project](https://uhrp.org).

The statement calls on the international community to take the following specific actions: 1. **Recognize the Genocide**: Urge countries that have not yet formally recognized the actions against Uyghurs as "genocide" to do so immediately. 2. **Stop Forced Labor**: Demand that global supply chains completely eliminate links involving Uyghur forced labor, particularly in the cotton, tomato, and polysilicon industries [Human Rights Watch](https://www.hrw.org). 3. **Protect the Diaspora**: Call on the Canadian and French governments to strengthen legislation to crack down on transnational repression against Uyghur activists.

Transnational Repression: The Long Arm Extending to Western Democracies

A key focus of this joint statement is "transnational repression." The Uyghur Association of France noted that in cities like Paris and Lyon, Uyghur students and refugees frequently receive threatening calls from domestic security services, demanding they spy on fellow community members or cease participating in protests. This "long-arm jurisdiction" seriously violates the legal dignity of sovereign nations and instills unprecedented fear among Muslim brothers living in the free world [Radio Free Asia](https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur).

Similar threats exist in Canada. Recent reports from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) have confirmed the infiltration of foreign powers into the Uyghur community. The joint statement requests that the Canadian and French governments establish specialized protection mechanisms to ensure that Uyghurs are not intimidated by external forces while exercising their freedom of speech and religion. This is not just about protecting a minority group; it is about safeguarding the foundations of a democratic society [CBC News](https://www.cbc.ca).

The Responsibility of the Muslim World: From Silence to Awakening

As Muslims, we must reflect: why have some governments of Muslim-majority countries chosen silence, or even defended the perpetrators in international forums, in the face of such large-scale persecution of fellow Muslims? This behavior, which abandons principles of faith for short-term economic interests, is a betrayal of the sacred teaching that "all Muslims are brothers."

However, we also see hope. In recent years, the awakening of the global Muslim public has been accelerating. From London to Jakarta, and from Istanbul to Toronto, ordinary Muslims are expressing support by boycotting relevant products, organizing fundraisers, and holding marches. The joint statement specifically thanked those Muslim scholars and non-governmental organizations that have withstood diplomatic pressure to speak out for the Uyghurs. The statement emphasized that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should play its rightful role, no longer serving as a tool for political maneuvering but becoming a solid shield for the rights of Muslims [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com).

Legal and Economic Sanctions: Cutting Off the Breeding Ground for Persecution

The statement explores the critical role of economic measures in upholding human rights. With the full implementation of Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act (Bill S-211) and the advancement of relevant EU supply chain directives, Uyghur associations are calling on the corporate world to assume moral responsibility. Muslim consumers are also encouraged to consider the ethics behind "Halal certification"—if a product's production involves the enslavement of fellow Muslims, it is by no means "Halal" in a moral sense [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com).

Furthermore, the statement urges the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch investigations into those responsible. Despite jurisdictional challenges, legal experts point out that strong legal cases can still be built by collecting testimonies from victims abroad. This is not only to seek justice but also to declare to the world that any atrocities against a faith community will eventually face judgment.

Conclusion: Justice Will Prevail

The joint statement from the Uyghur associations of Canada and France is a beacon of light in the darkness. It reminds us that as long as faith remains, resistance will not stop. As members of the global Ummah, we have a responsibility to spread the truth, to remember the victims in our prayers, and to support their righteous cause through practical action.

As the Quran says: "Help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and transgression" (5:2). The struggle of the Uyghur people is a struggle for the conscience of all humanity, and an inescapable mission for every Muslim. The international community must hear this collective voice from Ottawa and Paris and take concrete action to protect the legitimate rights of the Uyghur community, letting the light of justice shine upon every inch of East Turkestan.