Uyghur activists and their supporters convened outside the Chinese Consulate in Sariyer, Istanbul, protesting against Chinese oppression and religious persecution in East Turkestan.

The demonstration commemorated the 34th anniversary of the Baren revolution, an important event in Uyghur history.

In response to the International Union of East Turkestan NGOs (IUETO) call, approximately 400-500 Uyghur men, women, and children voiced their opposition to the Chinese regime's policies and actions.

During the gathering, IUETO Chairman Hidayet Oguzhan delivered a press release, paying homage to the martyrs of the Baren revolution. He strongly condemned Chinese authorities for imposing restrictions, including a fasting ban during Ramadan, on Uyghur Muslims.

Alimcan Bogda, President of the Uyghur Religious Scholars Union in Istanbul and a lecturer at Medeniyet University, exposed Chinese deception in arranging selective visits by foreign delegations to East Turkestan. He stressed that these visits were meticulously orchestrated to present a false impression of normalcy and hide the harsh realities of oppression experienced by the Uyghur community.

Omer Shaikh, Vice-President of the Union, guided the assembled crowd in prayers before they broke their Ramadan fast, highlighting the spiritual importance of the event.

Uyghur diasporas worldwide marked the anniversary of the Baren uprising with acts of remembrance and solidarity. In Turkey, notably in Istanbul, the substantial Uyghur community frequently stages protests to raise awareness about the challenges faced by their compatriots in East Turkestan.

The demonstration in Istanbul reflects a widespread condemnation of the Chinese government's treatment of Uyghurs, highlighting the pressing requirement for international intervention to tackle human rights abuses and secure justice for the marginalized minority.

Image source: ANI