The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) has appealed to the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to recognize China as the “occupying power” of East Turkistan. In a 25-page petition jointly submitted by the ETGE and the East Turkistan National Movement (ETNM), they emphasize that colonialism persists and seek the classification of East Turkistan, also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, as a ‘Non-Self-Governing Territory.’
The petition aims to prompt the UN to supervise East Turkistan’s journey towards self-determination. The ETGE asserts that challenging China as a “colonial power” before the UN is unprecedented. Mamtimin Ala, President of the ETGE, stresses the right of East Turkistan’s people to independence, aligning with the decolonisation framework that many nations have utilized.
The ETGE condemns the alleged genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang, now in its thirteenth year. They accuse China of practices like mass internment, forced labor transfers, organ harvesting, and cultural assimilation. Salih Hudayar, Foreign Minister of the ETGE, warns that China’s actions not only amount to genocide but also aim to solidify its colonial control over East Turkistan.
