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Research motion on Uyghurs submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye

November 1, 2024 6:56 am

In a General Debate of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, a motion was made to investigate reported instances of oppression and discrimination against Uyghur Turks; however, it was rejected by the votes of the ruling parties.

On October 30, 2024, the Felicity Party and Future Party Group submitted a Parliamentary Research Proposal to the General Debate of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye to look into the allegations of oppression and discrimination against Uyghur Turks on the spot by contacting the Chinese Government and to determine the necessary work to be done in this regard.

While representatives of all party groups took the floor in the session, there were fierce debates on the issue. As it was the case in the past, the motion was rejected with the votes of Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputies.

“A New Genocide Has Begun in East Turkistan”

Explaining the reasoning behind the motion, Selçuk Özdağ, Chairman of the Felicity Party and Future Party Group, called on China to visit East Turkestan and said, “If there are no disappearances, no camps, no interference with their language, religion and culture, if the Uighurs’ holidays and clothes are not canceled, we will apologize to China and we will further strengthen our relations with China. But as the Uighur Turks have said, if there are such things, we will say, ‘You cannot be a super state’.”

Özdağ reminded that 100 thousand signatures collected three years ago were sent to the Human Rights Investigation Commission of the time, but the promised visit of the Parliamentary delegation did not materialize.

Good Party: “Our Brothers are Waiting for Support”

Speaking on behalf of the Good Party (IYI Party), MP Rıdvan Uz said, “Today, the Uyghur Turks, who are persecuted and suffering in their homeland in East Turkistan, are waiting for a voice, a support from us. We cannot ignore the persecution of our brothers and sisters in East Turkistan.”

Uz also criticized the government’s China policy, reminding that billions in taxes and license fees were waived for Chinese firms BYD and AliBaba.

Republican People’s Party: “Human Rights Are Above Interests”

Speaking on behalf of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), MP Bilal Bilici emphasized that Turkey should take a stronger stance against China, saying that when it comes to human rights, especially genocide, interests are put aside.

Bilici also said, “I would like to underline that Uyghur Turks are subjected to serious oppression and systematic human rights violations due to their cultural identity, beliefs and language. According to the reports of international human rights organizations, hundreds of thousands of Uyghur Turks are imprisoned in so-called education camps, forced labor and are not allowed to meet with their families. The remaining Uyghurs live in an open-air prison with high-tech surveillance systems.”

“Of course, the economic and diplomatic dimension of our relations with China cannot be ignored. However, when it comes to human rights, no economic and political interest is more valuable than being the voice of the oppressed. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that our country should take a stronger stance against the Chinese Communist Party,” he said.

Dem Party: “Nothing was done except to say ‘We are concerned’”

Speaking on behalf of Democratic Equality and Progress Party (DEM Party), MP Özgül Saki said, “In 2017, this issue jumped to another stage. Although it is not in the constitution and laws, the Chinese Government took decisions, ‘Transformation through education and combating extremism’ and accelerated its repressive policies after this decision,” she said, pointing out that the repression in East Turkestan turned into genocide after 2017.

Saki then criticized the government, saying, “In 2019, when this was happening, Foreign Minister stated that a delegation would be sent to the Uyghur Autonomous Region. Since then, he has been in contact with the Chinese government many times, but there is no such visit. Only what is said: ‘We are following with sensitivity, we are concerned.’ There is nothing else.”

Justice and Development Party: “Everything has its time”

Speaking on behalf of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), Deputy İbrahim Ufuk Kaynak said, “Turkey will never forget its kin, but strategy and wisdom are very important,” and added, “Everything has its time, the time knows, and this is the state wisdom.” Kaynak’s remarks drew reaction from the opposition benches.

World Uyghur Congress Leader Not Allowed into Turkey

Another issue that drew attention during the debate was the situation of Dolkun İsa, former leader of the World Uyghur Congress. Selçuk Özdağ stated that Isa has been deported twice despite the court ruling that he should not be banned from entering Turkey and said, “There are 2 countries in the world that he cannot enter; one cannot enter China and one cannot enter Turkey.“

After the discussions, the motion was rejected by the AK Party and MHP votes.

Published in Turkish and Islamic and Uyghurs

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