On the Trump administration’s last day in power, it has taken another exemplary step by issuing a public statement declaring the Uyghur massacre in East Turkistan, the so-called “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region”, a genocide. In his statement, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed that China has been attempting to hide the Uyghur genocide from the world by misleading and oppressing the international community with false propaganda, and that the United States will not remain silent on the massacre. He also noted the dangers to the free world posed by ignorance of the genocide.
As a member of the Uyghur people and as a human rights activist being persecuted by the most brutal force in the world—the Chinese government—I measure the greatness, nobility and wisdom of a country and of a statesperson by their attitude and behavior towards China. The Trump administration is the first globally to recognize that China is a threat to humanity, and to take a number of practical measures to curb it. The Trump administration’s members, such as Mike Pompeo, are invaluable statespersons who will always be remembered with respect in my heart, and will be missed. On this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to the administration on behalf of the oppressed Uyghur people for this declaration of genocide, and for their previous work on the Uyghur issue.
President Joe Biden, who termed the Uyghur situation a genocide during the election period, and his appointed Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, are both experienced diplomats who know China well. Thus, I anticipate and hope that the new government will inherit the Trump administration’s Uyghur policy and make it even stronger and more effective.
Sincerely,
Rebiya Kadeer

Leader of the Uyghur National Movement