The East Turkistan National Movement (ETNM), a US-based organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, has issued a strong statement condemning China for its systematic destruction of Uyghur culture and heritage. The organization is urging the international community, human rights authorities, and activists to take decisive action against Beijing’s oppressive policies.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the ETNM accused the Chinese government of demolishing over 16,000 mosques and converting other religious sites into bars and clubs. “The Chinese government is executing a calculated strategy to annihilate the identity of the East Turkistan nation to ensure its occupation of East Turkistan continues. In a blatant attempt to erase our historical and cultural roots, Beijing has demolished over 16,000 mosques, desecrated religious sites by turning them into bars and clubs, and destroyed countless historic Uyghur neighborhoods,” the ETNM said. “These acts of cultural destruction are designed to break the spirit of our people and erase our Turkic and Islamic heritage from existence.”
The ETNM also criticized Muslim-majority countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Central Asian Republics for their silence in the face of China’s campaign against Uyghur Muslims. The organization accused these entities of turning a blind eye to the atrocities in Xinjiang and, in some cases, even supporting China’s actions.
A 2021 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) supported ETNM’s claims, revealing through satellite imagery that significant damage has been done to over 20 percent of the region’s mosques, with many being demolished or repurposed.
Xinjiang has become one of the most heavily monitored regions in the world, with extensive use of facial recognition technology and other surveillance methods. There is substantial evidence, including satellite imagery, of large-scale internment camps in the region. These facilities, described by the Chinese government as “re-education” camps, are considered by international observers and human rights organizations to be detention centers aimed at erasing the identity of East Turkistan and its people.
The ETNM’s call to action is a plea for the world to recognize and confront the ongoing cultural genocide in Xinjiang and to support the Uyghur people in their fight for survival and freedom.