World Uyghur Leader Looks To Malaysia For Support

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March 20, 2023 | The Rakyat Post | By Fernando Fong

WUC co-founder and executive committee chairman Omer Kanat affirmed that support of Malaysia for the Uyghur people in these critical circumstances is vital to keep their hopes alive.

“Malaysia have always supported the struggle to achieve our rights, especially self-determination, the end of the severe ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of Uyghurs in state-sponsored internment camps in Xinjiang (East Turkestan), China.” Human rights advocate Omer Kanat to TRP on his pride in the relations between the Uyghur people and Malaysia.

Kanat, who was recently in Malaysia on an official visit, met with government leaders, academicians and non-governmental organizations.

Among others, Kanat met with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul at the Parliament.

Kanat hopes the good relationship between Malaysia and China could persuade Beijing to engage with the world constructively on the Uyghur issue.

“The issue of Uyghur Muslims in China is a sensitive and complex topic, and the Malaysian government has taken a cautious approach in addressing it. Malaysia also has close economic ties with China, this may be a factor in the government’s approach to the issue.” Human rights advocate Omer Kanat to TRP on why Malaysia has not explicitly condemned China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

He pointed out that Malaysia has maintained a policy of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, including China.

Kanat, who is also Executive Director of the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) added that future plans are ongoing to establish an Uyghur-based NGO in Malaysia, to be staffed and led by WUC.

At the same time, Kanat is optimistic that Malaysian lawmakers would debate the Uyghur issue in the Parliament.

Read the full article: https://www.therakyatpost.com/news/malaysia/2023/03/20/world-uyghur-leader-looks-to-malaysia-for-support/