June 14, 2012. “Trust is important.” So spoke Ms Rebiya Kadeer, the newly re-elected President of the World Uyghur Congress, as she paid a visit to Initiatives for China (Citizens Power in China) DC Office on Thursday, June 14. “The people trust in me to lead them, and I will.”

Ms. Kadeer’s re-election as President of the World Uyghur Congress is significant for several reasons. One, her status as a woman leader in a Muslim organization; and second, her nearly unanimous re-election. “This is a mandate we cannot ignore,” said YANG Jianli, President and founder of Initiatives for China. “We are honored to have Ms Kadeer here today, and look forward to working with her on behalf of the Uyghur people both in China and abroad.”

Kadeer’s visit to Initiatives for China exemplifies the strengthening of relationships established over the years with Chinese democracy advocates such as Dr Yang, who is Han Chinese and has long spoken out on behalf of oppressedpeoples living under authoritarian Chinese rulership such as the Muslim Uyghurs, Tibetan Buddhists, Mongoliannationals, House Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and other groups.

Like the Tibetans, the Uyghur people have their own language, history, heritage, customs, and religion. Theircultural identity is separate and distinct from China. Like the Tibetans, the Uyghurs are mercilessly persecuted by a Chinese government which seeks to subjugate all vestiges of their unique ethnicity into a common amorphous Chinese whole. Like the Tibetans, the Uyghurs fight back, but their struggle is less internationally-known than that of Tibet. “When our people protest or hold demonstrations in a civil non-violent manner to call for their basic human rights, the Chinese government sends in armed police forces to ‘keep the peace’ and ‘establish the rule of law.’ Whose law? That of Beijing, half a world away.”

Ms. Kadeer calls upon the international community to recognize the suffering of the Uyghur people and to hold China accountable. “Here in the U.S., we have hope. There is democracy and justice. Here in the U.S., my youngest son is getting married in a few weeks. It will be a traditional wedding ceremony with Uyghur food, drink, music. We are so happy for him! But in China, my two eldest sons are in prison. They have been in prison over fifteen years. They were recently forced to sign over one of my last remaining properties – a house with land – to local Chinese officials for ‘official use.’ In China, we are victimized and oppressed.”

The World Uyghur Congress hopes to continue to establish working relationships and build strong foundations of trust with organizations such as Initiatives for China. “Our future work is dependent upon collaborations built upon mutual trust and understanding,” stated Ms. Kadeer. “Our common values are that we believe in democracy, value human rights, and seek justice and equality.”