28th Anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre Commemorated in Front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul

A protest was held in front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul on the 28th anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre, remembering the victims, condemning China’s genocide policies, and calling for international support.

On February 5, 2025, the International East Turkistan NGOs Union (UDTSB) organized a protest in front of the Chinese Consulate in Istanbul to mark the 28th anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre. Numerous civil society organizations showed their support.

The event was attended by hundreds of people, including NGO representatives, Uyghurs living in Istanbul, and citizens who are committed to the cause of East Turkistan. They carried banners highlighting the genocide, as well as East Turkistan and Turkish flags.

During the event, the Uyghur youths who lost their lives in the massacre were remembered, China’s ongoing genocide policies against the Uyghurs were condemned, and a call was made for international organizations to pressure China to cease its genocide policies.

At the event, UDTSB President Hidayet Oğuzhan, other NGO representatives, and Uyghur community leaders gave speeches. Oğuzhan’s speech included the following:

“Today, on the 28th anniversary of the Ghulja Massacre, the occupying Chinese regime continues to intensify its genocide policies in East Turkistan. The February 5 massacre is just one of many massacres that have occurred in East Turkistan, and since that day, the occupying China has carried out dozens of massacres in the region, continuing its oppression relentlessly. We pray for mercy from Allah for all martyrs who have fought for the independence of East Turkistan, especially those who lost their lives in the Ghulja Massacre. The occupying China must be held accountable for the crimes it has committed against the people of East Turkistan and must immediately put an end to the genocide in the region.”

In the UDTSB’s statement, the following was said: “28 years have passed since the peaceful protests, which began on February 5, 1997, due to China’s increasing oppression of the Uyghurs, turned into a massacre. Today, we once again raised our voices against China’s oppression in front of the Chinese Consulate to remember this tragic event and commemorate the martyrs. We thank all participants who joined our protest and became the voice of East Turkistan. Please continue to support us in our efforts to work for East Turkistan and be the voice of the Uyghurs.”