Uyghur American Association Issues Statement Against China’s Human Rights Violations, Urges International Community to Take Urgent Action

Introduction: A Voice Raised Against Oppression

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As an integral part of the Islamic Ummah, Uyghur Muslims are currently undergoing one of the most severe trials in history. The ongoing genocide and religious suppression in East Turkestan are not merely the struggle of one nation, but a test of conscience for the entire Islamic world. In a recent urgent statement, the Uyghur American Association (UAA) once again brought the systematic oppression of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim peoples to the global agenda. This statement represents a crucial step toward breaking the international community's silence and protecting the rights of the oppressed.

The UAA’s Urgent Call and Recent Developments

In late February 2026, a group of human rights organizations led by the Uyghur American Association called on the United Nations (UN) and world leaders to take immediate action to stop China's crimes against humanity. A primary concern for the community remains the fate of 40 Uyghur Muslims who were forcibly returned to China by the Thai government on February 27, 2025, about whom there is still no information [Source](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/chinas-silence-deepens-fears-over-disappeared-uyghur-returnees-year-warn-un). In a statement on February 27, 2026, UN experts emphasized that the disappearance of these individuals is part of China's policy of "transnational repression" [Source](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/02/chinas-silence-deepens-fears-over-disappeared-uyghur-returnees-year-warn-un).

Furthermore, the Uyghur American Association, along with 26 non-governmental organizations, urged UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk to publicly expose China's crimes during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, which began in February 2026 [Source](https://campaignforuyghurs.org/26-ngos-call-on-volker-turk-to-address-chinas-abuses-at-the-hrcs-61st-session/). These actions demonstrate the unwavering determination of the Uyghur community in their pursuit of justice.

The Attack on Islamic Identity: Destruction of Mosques and Religious Restrictions

The Chinese government's policies in East Turkestan are not just political suppression; they constitute a religious war aimed at completely eradicating or "Sinicizing" Islam. According to recent reports, approximately 65% of the mosques in the region (about 16,000 mosques) have been destroyed or damaged [Source](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/china-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-muslims-including-uyghurs-in-xinjiang-july-2025-accessible). Among these, more than 8,500 mosques have been completely demolished.

Under the guise of "Sinicizing Islam," Chinese authorities have criminalized fasting, praying, and providing religious education to children. Reports released in 2025 and early 2026 indicate that the deaths of religious figures in prison, such as the 96-year-old Imam Abidin Damollam, are part of China's systematic plan to eliminate religious scholars [Source](https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/2025%20Annual%20Report%20China.pdf). Such acts are a grave insult to the sacred values of the Islamic Ummah.

Progress in U.S. Policy: The Uyghur Policy Act

As a result of the persistent efforts of the Uyghur American Association, the U.S. government is taking more decisive steps regarding the Uyghur issue. On September 2, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Uyghur Policy Act" (H.R. 2635) [Source](https://youngkim.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-rep-kims-bipartisan-uyghur-policy-act). This law requires the U.S. Department of State to assign dedicated personnel to protect the religious, cultural, and linguistic identity of Uyghurs and to increase international pressure.

Additionally, in early 2026, the U.S. government announced a policy to impose visa restrictions on foreign officials involved in the forced repatriation of Uyghurs to China [Source](https://uygurnews.com/february-2026-uygur-news/). These measures send a strong signal that those complicit in oppression will not go unpunished.

The Responsibility of the Islamic Ummah and the Test of Conscience

Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran: "The believers are but brothers." The oppression faced by Uyghur Muslims should be a collective pain for the entire Ummah. Unfortunately, the silence of some Muslim countries due to economic interests or their belief in Chinese propaganda is deeply regrettable. In its statement, the Uyghur American Association called on the Islamic world not to be deceived by China's false claims of "counter-terrorism" and to stand up for their brothers and sisters in East Turkestan.

In recent years, the Chinese government has conducted extensive propaganda in Arab and Islamic countries to hide the oppression in the region. A report published in October 2025 revealed how China used media manipulation in the Middle East and North Africa to justify the Uyghur genocide [Source](https://uyghurstudy.org/on-human-rights-day-a-call-to-restore-dignity-faith-and-freedom-for-uyghurs/). Muslim peoples must stand against these lies and be the voice that spreads the truth.

Forced Labor and Economic Crimes

China's use of Uyghurs for forced labor has become a form of modern-day slavery. New research from 2025 and 2026 shows that China is seizing Uyghur lands in the agricultural and technology sectors and forcing them to work in state-controlled factories [Source](https://uygurnews.com/february-2026-uygur-news/). The Uyghur American Association has been calling on international companies to exit supply chains tainted by Uyghur forced labor. This is an economic struggle, and every Muslim consumer should ensure that the goods they purchase are not produced at the cost of the blood and sweat of the oppressed.

Conclusion: Acting Together for Justice

The statement by the Uyghur American Association reminds us that silence in the face of oppression is complicity with the oppressor. The identity, faith, and existence of Muslims in East Turkestan are under threat. As the Islamic Ummah, regardless of where we are in the world, we have a duty to protect the rights of our Uyghur brothers and sisters, to pray for them, and to support them politically and economically.

The international community, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), must take a clearer stance against China's oppression. Justice is established not just through words, but through practical action. This call from the Uyghur American Association is a beacon urging all of humanity and the Ummah to be conscientious and to stand with the oppressed. May Allah be the Protector and Helper of the oppressed.