Launch event for reports on forced labor and child labor held in Ankara

A launch event was held in Ankara for the reports “Child Labor in East Turkistan” and “The Dynamics of Forced Labor”.

On February 22, 2025, the East Turkistan Human Rights Watch Association (ETHR) and the Justice for All Platform of Women Lawyers organized the event in Ankara, focusing on Uyghur forced labor and child labor. The findings of The Dynamics of Forced Labor report, prepared by ETHR, and Child Labor in East Turkistan report, compiled by the Justice for All Platform, were presented during the event.

The event was attended by representatives of both organizations, academics, civil society representatives, and numerous citizens. Additionally, an art exhibition showcasing Uyghur forced labor and genocide was opened as part of the program.

In the opening speech, Serpil Penez Şahin, President of the Justice for All Platform, highlighted the human rights violations faced by Uyghur children, stating: “Children in East Turkistan are subjected to forced labor, deprived of their right to education, and face psychological and physical pressure, as well as torture. This is a crime against humanity that damages the dignity of all humankind.”

Şahin also emphasized that forced labor severely harms children’s physical and psychological well-being, adding: “The Chinese government is detaching Uyghur children from their language and culture and subjecting them to ideological assimilation programs. As a result, these children lose not only their cultural identity but also their national identity and native language.”

ETHR Secretary-General Abdulahad Udun presented The Dynamics of Forced Labor report, sharing findings on China’s forced labor policies targeting Uyghurs.

Dr. Adrian Zenz, a senior researcher at the U.S.-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, joined the event online and presented his latest research findings on Uyghur forced labor.

Additionally, Turkish lawyer Ayşe Kürkçü and ETHR researcher Vildan Kadıoğlu Sarıyaşar shared their insights on forced labor and child labor. Sarıyaşar summarized the key points of The Dynamics of Forced Labor report and emphasized the need for further scientific and legal studies on the subject.

During the event, calls were made to draw international attention to human rights violations in East Turkistan—particularly forced labor—and to take concrete steps to address these abuses. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Justice for All Platform and ETHR urged international mechanisms to take immediate action to put an end to these violations.