The East Turkistan National Movement (ETNM), a US-based organization dedicated to defending the rights of Uyghur Muslims in East Turkistan, has strongly condemned China for the systematic destruction of Uyghur culture and heritage. The organization is calling on the international community, human rights authorities, and activists to take decisive action against Beijing’s oppressive policies.
In a statement released on Twitter, ETNM accused the Chinese government of demolishing over 16,000 mosques and converting other religious sites into bars and clubs. “The Chinese government is executing a calculated strategy to erase the identity of the East Turkistan nation and to continue its occupation of East Turkistan. To erase our historical and cultural roots, Beijing has demolished over 16,000 mosques, desecrated religious sites by turning them into bars and clubs, and destroyed countless historic Uyghur neighborhoods” .
The organization claimed that these actions are part of a strategy aimed at erasing the identity of the East Turkistan nation. ETNM also criticized Muslim-majority countries, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Central Asian Republics for their silence in the face of China’s campaign against Uyghur Muslims. ETNM stated that these entities have turned a blind eye to human rights violations in East Turkistan and, in some cases, have even supported China’s actions.
A 2021 report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) also revealed that more than 20% of the region’s mosques have suffered significant damage, with many being demolished or repurposed, based on satellite imagery.
As East Turkistan has become one of the most heavily monitored regions in the world, widespread surveillance methods such as facial recognition technology are being used. Satellite imagery confirms the existence of large-scale internment camps in the region. Although the Chinese government describes these facilities as “re-education” camps, international observers and human rights organizations consider them detention centers aimed at erasing the identity of the East Turkistan people.
ETNM is calling on the global community to recognize the ongoing cultural genocide in East Turkistan and to support the Uyghur people in their struggle for survival.