Uyghur Association of France Urges International Action on Uyghur Crisis and Organizes Key Events

Introduction: A Voice for Justice in the Heart of Europe

Today, the severe crisis facing the oppressed Uyghur Muslims in East Turkistan has become a test of conscience not only for one nation but for the entire Islamic Ummah and humanity. The Uyghur Association of France (Association des Ouïghours de France) stands at the forefront of this struggle, demanding that the international community—particularly the Western world and Islamic nations—not remain silent in the face of this oppression. In early 2026, the association elevated the Uyghur cause to a new level by organizing a series of large-scale activities.

Recent Activities and China's Transnational Repression

On January 20, 2026, the Uyghur Association of France and the European Uyghur Institute (IODE) officially opened their new center in Paris. This center serves as a vital fortress for preserving Uyghur culture and conducting political advocacy. Despite the Chinese regime's attempts to block the event by pressuring local French officials, the goal was achieved through the firm determination of justice advocates.

Furthermore, Uyghur activists in France continuously face China's "transnational repression." According to information revealed in February 2026, Chinese authorities contacted Uyghurs living in Paris, such as Abdurahman Tohti and Mirkamil Turgun, attempting to coerce them into spying on their own community. Rather than weakening their resolve, such intimidation has only amplified their voice on the international stage.

Legal Struggle: Lawsuits Against Tech Companies

The Uyghur Association of France is not limited to protests; it is also striking at China's machinery of oppression through legal channels. In September 2025, in collaboration with the World Uyghur Congress, a lawsuit was filed in a Paris court against Chinese tech companies including Huawei, Hikvision, and Dahua. These companies are accused of complicity in the Uyghur genocide through facial recognition technology and mass surveillance systems in East Turkistan. This legal action serves as a strong warning to European companies against investing in human rights abuses.

The Responsibility of the Islamic Ummah and Religious Perspectives

Our Islamic faith teaches us that "the Muslims are like a single body; if one limb aches, the whole body reacts with restlessness." The destruction of mosques in East Turkistan, the burning of the Holy Quran, and the forced renunciation of faith for millions of Muslims are pains felt by the entire Ummah. In its activities, the Uyghur Association of France strongly criticizes the silence of Islamic nations, particularly the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in favor of China's economic interests.

Upholding justice is a requirement of faith. The Holy Quran commands: "O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice" (Surah An-Nisa, Verse 135). The struggle of our Uyghur brothers and sisters in France is not just a political one, but a jihad between truth and falsehood, between oppression and justice. The "concrete steps" they demand from the international community include conditioning economic relations with China on human rights and banning products made with forced labor.

Dilnur Reyhan and Political Pressures

Another prominent figure of the Uyghur Association of France, Dr. Dilnur Reyhan, has become a target of the Chinese embassy. In October 2025, she was brought to court following a complaint by the embassy. Although she was fined under the guise of "property damage," the trial exposed China's attempts to stifle freedom of speech even in democratic countries like France. Dilnur Reyhan's words in court echoed the voice of the entire Uyghur people: "I should not be accused by French courts; rather, I should be protected from China's attempts to silence me."

Conclusion: Hope and Resistance

The activities of the Uyghur Association of France demonstrate that no matter how severe the oppression, the voice of truth can never be silenced. Demanding greater international attention to the Uyghur crisis is not just a political demand, but a human and religious duty. As Muslims, we must stand by the oppressed wherever they are in the world and protect their rights. This struggle in France is a significant step toward the liberation of East Turkistan and the victory of justice.