UHRP marks 77 years since takeover, urges urgent international action on Uyghur rights

Washington, October 1 — The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) issued a statement marking 77 years since the Chinese Communist Party's takeover of East Turkistan and 71 years since Beijing proclaimed the "East Turkistan" on October 1, 1955. Executive Director Omer Kanat called the promised autonomy "an illusion" and "a roadmap for occupation and genocide," urging governments to publicly reject Beijing's anniversary propaganda, strengthen enforcement of forced-labour import bans and sanctions, and push for international accountability at the UN and beyond. The statement also cited China's new "Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress," in effect since July 1, 2026, as codifying assimilation policies over language, religion, education and family life. (The characterisations above are the project's claims, reported here as claims.)

Source: Uyghur Human Rights Project, October 1, 2026. https://uhrp.org/statement/uhrp-marks-77-years-since-ccps-takeover-of-east-turkistan-calls-for-urgent-international-action/