Campaign for Uyghurs has been awarded the 2025 Democracy Award for its human rights advocacy on behalf of the Uyghur and other Turkic peoples subjected to China’s multifaceted policies of genocide.
Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) has been honored with the 2025 Democracy Award by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The official ceremony took place on November 4 in Washington, D.C., where CFU and its Executive Director Rushan Abbas were formally recognized for their tireless advocacy on behalf of Uyghur and other Turkic communities persecuted under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
The ceremony paid tribute to individuals and organizations who risk their lives to defend freedom, faith, and truth. The Democracy Awards recognized outstanding efforts to promote human rights and religious liberty amid rising repression. Alongside Campaign for Uyghurs, Xiao Qiang and China Digital Times were also honored for documenting the Chinese people’s struggle for freedom. In addition, the Democracy Service Medals were awarded to Pastor Wang Yi and the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, both enduring symbols of faith and resistance.
Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of Campaign for Uyghurs, stated during the ceremony:
“We accept this award on behalf of the millions of Uyghurs whose voices have been silenced and whose faith and freedom remain under assault. What is happening to the Uyghurs is an ongoing genocide — marked by mass detention, forced labor, and the criminalization of faith. My sister, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, has been unjustly imprisoned for seven years as punishment for my activism, a painful reminder that the CCP’s repression knows no borders. This recognition strengthens our determination to fight for justice, accountability, and the protection of humanity itself.”
In a social media post, Rushan Abbas expressed that receiving the 2025 Democracy Award is a profound honor and a reminder of the urgent need to confront the genocide faced by Uyghurs while amplifying their voices in the struggle for freedom and justice.
Abbas extended her gratitude to the Campaign for Uyghurs board and staff for their dedication and to her family and friends for their constant strength and encouragement. “There is still much more to be done,” she added, emphasizing the organization’s unwavering commitment to combat the ongoing Uyghur genocide and uphold universal human rights and dignity.
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