Updated 17:05 IST, December 11th 2024
Global Outcry Builds as Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day Marks ongoing Atrocities by China
On December 9, 2024, Uyghur organizations gathered in Munich to mark Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day.

Munich, Germany - Uyghur organizations and activists gathered in Munich to observe Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day, highlighting the ongoing atrocities faced by Uyghur and other Turkic Muslim populations in East Turkistan. The event, organized by the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), underscored the systematic oppression and human rights violations committed by the Chinese government, a grim reminder of the genocide recognized by the Uyghur Tribunal in 2021.
This year’s commemoration coincided with International Human Rights Day, intensifying global calls for action against the continued repression of Uyghurs.
Global Significance of Uyghur Tribunal Findings
The Uyghur Tribunal, established in June 2020 under the leadership of then-WUC President Dolkun Isa, played a pivotal role in confirming that the Chinese government’s actions constitute genocide and crimes against humanity. The tribunal’s findings, based on extensive evidence and testimonies, brought to light grave abuses, including mass detentions, forced labour, family separations, and gender-based violence aimed at erasing Uyghur identity.
Marking the third anniversary of the tribunal’s landmark decision, Dolkun Isa tweeted:
“Three years ago today, the Uyghur Tribunal concluded that the Chinese government committed genocide... The genocide continues. Humanity must act to end this atrocity.”
WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun expressed sorrow for the victims and reiterated the urgent need for international accountability, calling for collective action to end these human rights violations.
Atrocities Faced by the Uyghur People
The WUC’s press release provided harrowing details of the abuses inflicted upon the Uyghur population:
- Arbitrary Detention: Millions of Uyghurs are held in detention camps under harsh conditions, including torture and family separations.
- Forced Labor: Products linked to Uyghur forced labour continue to infiltrate global markets, prompting urgent calls for stronger regulations.
- Reproductive Coercion: Women face systematic strategies to suppress birth rates through forced sterilizations and other forms of reproductive control.
Reports indicate that these policies aim to erase Uyghur cultural and religious identity, amounting to a deliberate campaign of genocide.
Growing International Recognition of Uyghur Genocide
Several countries, including the United States, Canada, and the UK, have officially recognized the atrocities against Uyghurs as genocide. The European Parliament has declared these acts crimes against humanity, while the United Nations has identified them as potential crimes against humanity.

The rising international awareness reflects a global responsibility to address these violations. However, the WUC emphasized the need for more decisive action to hold China accountable, citing the inadequacy of existing measures.
Calls for Decisive International Action
The WUC outlined several key demands to address the ongoing genocide:
- Closure of Detention Camps: Immediate release of detainees and the dismantling of camps.
- End to Forced Labor: Stronger regulations to prevent complicity in forced labour practices.
- Protection for Uyghur Refugees: Enhanced safeguards for Uyghur asylum seekers facing transnational repression.
- Accountability for Human Rights Violations: Global mechanisms to prosecute perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity.
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) announced a special event titled "The Uyghur Tribunal: Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day", to be held on December 10. The event aims to mobilize further support and educate the public on the Uyghur Tribunal’s findings and their implications for international justice.
Challenges and Hope Amid Ongoing Struggle
Despite some progress, including Volkswagen’s withdrawal from East Turkistan, forced labour practices remain a significant challenge. Investigations have revealed that numerous Western consumer goods may still be tied to these abuses, necessitating stricter oversight.

As Uyghur activists and organizations continue their fight for justice, the observance of Uyghur Genocide Recognition Day serves as both a solemn reminder of the victims and a rallying cry for global action. The findings of the Uyghur Tribunal provide a vital foundation for advocacy efforts, urging the international community to remain steadfast in its support for human rights and justice for the Uyghur people.
The 09 December 2024 commemoration in Munich resonated beyond borders, amplifying the voices of the oppressed and calling for global accountability. As the Uyghur genocide persists, the world faces a moral imperative: to act decisively against these atrocities and ensure that justice prevails for the victims of East Turkistan.
Published 17:05 IST, December 11th 2024