Uyghurs to protest Chinese government policy at Olympic torch event in Istanbul, April 2, 2008

World Uyghur Congress
April 2, 2008

http://www.islamicpluralism.org/720/uyghurs-to-protest-chinese-government-policy

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

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