The 61st Munich Security Conference will end today. Protests opposing to participation of the Chinese delegation and drawing the attention of conference attendees to the Uyghur Genocide have been continuing since the 13th of February.
The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC), one of the most significant platforms for international defense and security discussions, began on February 14, 2025. The conference, held at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich, Germany, ended on Sunday, February 16.
More than 140 high-ranking officials, including Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, are attending the conference. This year’s key topics include the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions in the Middle East, defense spending, and Europe’s security. Additionally, the conference will address other major global issues, such as relations between the West and China, global trade tensions, conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, climate crises, energy and food security, and regulations on artificial intelligence and technology.
Protests opposing the participation of the Chinese delegation and drawing the attention of conference attendees to the Uyghur Genocide have been continuing since Thursday, February 13. Enver Can, the founding president of the Ilham Tohti Initiative, has been increasing visibility by displaying English and German posters and banners on a billboard trailer since February 13.
Bugün, Münih Güvenlik Konferansı'na (MSC) Çin'in katılımına karşı protesto eylemimizi başlattık ve Münih'in ana caddelerinde tanıtım römorku ile görünürlük sağladık.
— İlham Tohti İnsiyatifi (@ilhamtohtiTR) February 14, 2025
Protestomuz, cumartesi, benzer düşüncedeki STK'larla birlikte düzenleyeceğimiz ortak bir gösteriyle sona erecek. pic.twitter.com/qWD19U182I
On February 15, a protest rally was attended by World Uyghur Congress President Turghuncan Alawudun and European East Turkistan Association President Askar Can, along with a large number of Uyghurs.
Turghuncan Alawudun commented on the participation of the Chinese delegation, stating:
“China is a major threat to the world today; it harms the global economy and peace. It oppresses Uyghurs, Tibetans, Mongols, and other non-Chinese peoples, particularly implementing severe genocide policies against the Uyghurs. Under such circumstances, the participation of the Chinese Foreign Minister in a global security conference is illogical.”
pic.twitter.com/cBnP6Iixtu— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) February 15, 2025
In his speech, Askar Can also addressed China’s presence at the conference, emphasizing that China poses a threat to Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongols. He expressed his reaction by stating:
“How can a country that threatens world peace have a place in a global security conference?”
The event was also attended by Tibetans, pro-democracy Chinese activists, and human rights organizations such as the Society for Threatened Peoples and the International Association for Human Rights. Representatives from these communities and NGOs delivered speeches.
— Uygur Haber (@UygurHaber) February 15, 2025
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