World Uyghur Congress Holds Annual Human Rights Summit, Calling for International Focus on Regional Peace and the Rule of Law

Introduction: A Call for Justice and the Responsibility of the Global Ummah

Against the backdrop of intense global geopolitical turbulence in 2026, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) recently convened its annual human rights summit. This summit was not only a summary of the human rights situation in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) over the past year but also an urgent call to action for the international community, particularly the global Muslim community (Ummah). The core theme of the meeting focused on "Regional Peace and the Rule of Law," emphasizing that in the absence of just rule of law, any form of "stability" is merely a veneer for oppression. As fellow Muslims, we must recognize that the suffering of our Uyghur brothers and sisters is not only a human rights crisis but also a blatant challenge to the Islamic values of "Justice" (Adl) and "Dignity" (Karama) [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org).

Summit Background: New Leadership and Strategic Transformation

Since the 8th General Assembly held in Sarajevo in October 2024, the WUC has demonstrated stronger international mobilization capabilities under the leadership of current President Turgunjan Alawdun and Executive Committee Chair Rushan Abbas [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/press-release-world-uyghur-congress-8th-general-assembly-to-start-in-sarajevo/). The 2026 annual summit was held against this backdrop. The summit noted that while the parliaments of 11 countries have recognized the actions against Uyghurs as "genocide," actual sanctions and intervention measures still lag behind [Source](https://uzdm.de/en/wuc-calls-for-the-third-east-turkistan-uyghur-summit-and-youth-summit/).

From a Muslim perspective, the choice of Sarajevo as a venue holds deep symbolic meaning. Bosnia witnessed genocide against Muslims, and by using it as a platform, the WUC aims to remind the world that historical tragedies must not be repeated in East Turkistan. The summit emphasized that the Uyghur struggle is part of a global movement against oppression and a sacred effort to defend Islamic religious freedom and the right to national survival.

Core Issue I: Transnational Repression and the Erosion of the Rule of Law

The summit discussed in detail the escalating "transnational repression" tactics used by the Chinese government. Latest reports from February 2026 show that Chinese authorities are attempting to silence dissidents worldwide through digital surveillance, abuse of Interpol Red Notices, and threats against the domestic families of overseas Uyghurs [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-6-february-2026/). WUC Vice President Zumretay Arkin pointed out at a Geneva forum that this repression has become institutionalized, severely undermining international legal norms [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-13-february-2026/).

Of particular concern is the expansion of Chinese surveillance technology (such as Hikvision and Dahua) in Europe and globally. The WUC warned that these tools, used to monitor Muslims in East Turkistan, are now being installed in airports and government agencies in countries like Germany. This not only threatens the safety of exiled Uyghurs but also erodes the foundations of the rule of law in democratic societies [Source](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/02/23/wuc-raises-alarm-over-chinas-transnational-repression-against-uyghurs/). For the Muslim community, this represents a "digital fence" designed to sever connections between believers and place religious practice under 24/7 surveillance.

Core Issue II: Forced Labor and the Absence of Economic Justice

Forced labor remains a central focus of the summit. In February 2026, the International Labour Organization (ILO) Committee of Experts once again expressed serious concern over China's implementation of the Forced Labour Convention [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-20-february-2026/). According to reports, over 3.34 million Uyghurs were included in so-called "labor transfer programs" in 2024. This coercive employment is often accompanied by political indoctrination and family separation [Source](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2026/02/23/wuc-raises-alarm-over-chinas-transnational-repression-against-uyghurs/).

From the perspective of Islamic economic ethics, exploiting the sweat and freedom of workers is a grave sin. The WUC supports legal actions in Australia, Spain, and France against relevant companies (such as Kmart and surveillance equipment manufacturers) to demand they clean up "sweatshops" in their supply chains [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-13-february-2026/). This is not just a legal battle but a defense of the "Halal" way of life—true Halal refers not only to food but also to the means of acquiring wealth, which must be just, transparent, and free from the enslavement of others.

Core Issue III: The Silence and Betrayal of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

The summit expressed deep disappointment with the recent performance of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In January 2026, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha met with Chinese officials in Beijing but failed to raise any substantive concerns regarding Uyghur human rights [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/press-release-wuc-laments-the-lack-of-references-to-uyghurs-or-human-rights-matters-during-the-oic-official-visit-to-china/). WUC President Alawdun criticized this bluntly: "The OIC has chosen selective silence, which is a betrayal of millions of suffering Muslims" [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/press-release-wuc-laments-the-lack-of-references-to-uyghurs-or-human-rights-matters-during-the-oic-official-visit-to-china/).

This reality, where "geopolitics trumps religious brotherhood," is a major pain point in the current Muslim world. The summit called on OIC member states to fulfill their charter obligations to protect the rights of Muslims globally, rather than turning a blind eye to "Sinicization of Islam" policies for short-term economic gain. This "Sinicization" essentially strips Muslims of their right to learn their mother tongue, worship freely, and pass on their culture, transforming mosques into tourist attractions or indoctrination centers [Source](https://uyghurstudy.org/on-human-rights-day-a-call-to-restore-dignity-faith-and-freedom-for-uyghurs/).

Regional Peace and the Rule of Law: A Roadmap for the Future

The WUC explicitly stated at the summit that peace in East Turkistan cannot be built on oppression. True regional peace requires: 1. **Restoration of the Rule of Law**: Ending arbitrary detention and abolishing discriminatory laws targeting specific ethnic groups. 2. **Religious Freedom**: Allowing Uyghurs to practice their faith without surveillance and restoring destroyed mosques and cemeteries [Source](https://uhrp.org/un-tracker/). 3. **International Oversight**: Calling on the UN and the international community to establish a regular verification mechanism to ensure the implementation of human rights report recommendations [Source](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/08/china-still-no-accountability-for-crimes-against-humanity-in-xinjiang-three-years-after-major-un-report/).

Furthermore, the WUC is actively expanding its diplomatic space. In February 2026, the WUC congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her election as Prime Minister of Japan and expressed hope that Japan would play a leading role in Asian human rights affairs [Source](https://uygurnews.com/february-2026-uygur-news/). This multilateral diplomatic strategy aims to break China's narrative monopoly in Asia and gain more regional support for the Uyghur cause.

Conclusion: The Awakening of the Muslim Ummah

The 2026 World Uyghur Congress annual summit serves as a reminder that the fate of the Uyghurs is a microcosm of the fate of the global Muslim community. When our brothers and sisters face imprisonment for owning a Quran or teaching their children their mother tongue, silence is complicity. We call on global Muslim scholars, social organizations, and ordinary believers to promote the rule of law in East Turkistan through prayer, advocacy, and economic boycotts. As Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The believers, in their mutual love, mercy, and compassion, are like one body." On the path to justice and peace, we must not let the Uyghurs fight alone.