Uyghur History and
the CCP's Repression
This presentation examines the history and current plight of the
Uyghur people, a Turkic, predominantly Muslim ethnic group
indigenous to Central Asia. The Uyghur homeland, known as East
Turkistan, is currently occupied by the People's Republic of China
and its ruling party, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Who are the
Uyghurs?
Ethnic Identity Homeland and
Exile
The Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group with a distinct East Turkistan, the homeland of the Uyghur people, is a
culture and language. Their history is deeply vast territory in the centre of Eurasia. Due to Chinese
intertwined with the Silk Road and the various empires occupation and colonisation, many Uyghurs have fled
and kingdoms that have existed in Central Asia. abroad, creating a significant diaspora in countries
such as Turkey, Kazakhstan and the United States.
East Turkistan: A Rich
History
Ancient 1
Civilizations
The Uyghur homeland has been home to several empires
and kingdoms, including the Uyghur Khanate (744-840)
and the Kara Khanid Empire (840-1212). These empires 2 The Mongol
played a crucial role in shaping Uyghur culture and Empire
During the Mongol Empire (1212-1328), parts of East
identity. Turkistan came under Mongol control. It was during this
period that Genghis Khan adopted the Uighur script for his
The Qing Dynasty 3 administration.
The Qing dynasty annexed East Turkistan as Xinjiang
province in 1884, but the Uighur people continued to
resist Chinese rule. Several Uighur political entities
4 The East Turkistan
existed outside Qing control.
Republics
The first (1933-1934) and second (1944-1949) East
Turkistan Republics represented the first attempts by
Uyghurs to form a nation-state.
CCP Control 5
The CCP gained control of East Turkistan in 1949, marking
the beginning of systematic oppression and cultural
suppression of the Uyghur people.
The CCP's False
Narrative
Historical Claims The "Tributary System"
The CCP claims that Xinjiang has been part of China
Myth
The CCP often uses the 'tributary system' to justify
since the Han Dynasty, but this claim is based on a its claims to East Turkestan. However, this system
distorted interpretation of history. Chinese control was a form of international relations in which smaller
has been limited to military outposts, not full states paid tribute to the dominant power, not an
integration. indication of annexation.
The Name
"Xinjiang"
The CCP shamelessly claims that the name
"Xinjiang", which means "new frontier", actually
means "old territory returned to the motherland".
This is a blatant attempt to misrepresent the history
of East Turkestan.
The Uyghur People: Lack of
Autonomy
Restrictions on Suppression of Restrictions on No Real
Religion Language Movement Autonomy
Despite the official name
The CCP controls all The use of the Uyghur Uyghurs face significant 'Xinjiang Uyghur
aspects of religious language in schools is difficulties in obtaining Autonomous Region', the
practice in Xinjiang. being phased out and passports and are Uyghurs have no real
Mosques are under Uyghurs are being forced effectively confined to power in their own
surveillance, religious to learn Mandarin Chinese. Xinjiang. This restriction government. The CCP
education is banned, and This undermines their on movement severely controls all key political
Uyghurs face restrictions cultural identity and limits their freedom and positions and decisions.
on their religious heritage. ability to escape
expression. persecution.
Genocide, Camps, and
Surveillance
Mass Detention
The CCP has established a system of mass detention camps in Xinjiang, where millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims are held.
1
These camps are characterised by forced labour, torture and political indoctrination.
Population
2 Control
The CCP has carried out a campaign of forced abortions and sterilisations of Uighur women, as well as forced marriages to
Chinese men. This is a clear violation of human rights and a form of genocide.
Surveillance
3 State
Uyghurs are subjected to unprecedented levels of surveillance. Facial recognition cameras, police checkpoints and
government informers monitor their every move, both inside and outside Xinjiang.
Forced Labor
4 Uyghurs are forcibly relocated to factories in China to work in harsh conditions. The practice is widespread
and has been linked to major international brands.
Cultural
5 Genocide
The CCP is systematically wiping out Uighur culture by destroying mosques, suppressing their
language and eliminating their cultural figures. This is a form of cultural genocide.
Uyghur/Tibetan
Solidarity
Shared
1 Oppression
The Uyghur and Tibetan peoples face similar forms of persecution by the CCP. Both groups face
cultural repression, restrictions on their freedoms, and the threat of imprisonment and forced labour.
The Role of the Dalai
Lama
The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, has been a strong
2
advocate of their rights. The lack of a comparable figure in the Uighur community
has contributed to their relative silence on the international stage.
A Call for Self-
Determination
Both the Uyghur and Tibetan peoples deserve the right to
3
self-determination, a principle enshrined in international law
and championed by President Woodrow Wilson.
Next Steps
This presentation has provided an overview of the Uyghur people
and the CCP's oppression. It is imperative that we continue to
learn, advocate and act on behalf of the Uyghur community. Use
the resources provided to learn more about Uyghur history and the
ongoing genocide. Keep up to date with the latest developments
and support organisations working to end the persecution of the
Uyghur people.
