"Surely, those who believe, and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians, whoever have faith with true hearts in Allah and in the Last-day and do good deeds, their reward is with their Lord, and there shall he no fear for them nor any grief." Qur'an 2:62
Uyghurs to protest Chinese government policy at Olympic torch event in Istanbul, April 2, 2008
The World Uyghur Congress and several Uyghur organizations based in Turkey will hold a peaceful demonstration in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet Square beginning at 12:00 pm on Thursday, April 3. The event is scheduled to coincide with a 2008 Olympic torch relay ceremony that will take place in the square at 2:00 pm. Participants will be protesting the repressive policies of the People’s Republic of China in Tibet and East Turkestan (designated as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Chinese) and calling for improved human rights conditions and democratic reform in the two regions.
Uyghurs and Tibetans have suffered for decades under a regime that seeks to forcibly assimilate their unique cultures.The Chinese government’s fierce repression of religious expression, intolerance for any expression of discontent, discriminatory economic policies, and support for the movement of huge numbers of migrants link East Turkestan and Tibet and have led to tremendous social tensions in both regions.
WHAT: Peaceful protest at the Olympic torch relay ceremony in Istanbul
WHO: World Uyghur Congress and Turkish-based Uyghur Organizations WHEN: Thursday April 3, 2008 Begins at 12:00 pm Olympic torch relay ceremony at 2:00 pm WHERE: Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul Near the Blue Mosque
