UHRP Calls for Due Process in Turkish Case Regarding Dolkun Isa

For Immediate Release
June 8, 2021 11:38 a.m. EDT
Contact: Omer Kanat +1 (202) 790-1795, Peter Irwin +1 (646) 906-7722

Today, the Ankara Administrative Court heard a case on whether to lift an entry ban for World Uyghur Congress President Dolkun Isa. Mr. Isa has been unable to enter Turkey since 2008, based on allegations of threats to national security. UHRP hopes that the court will issue a fair judgment on Mr. Isa’s case once a decision is made two months from now.

“Turkey is of great significance to the Uyghurs due to deep cultural ties, and as one of the centers of the Uyghur diaspora,” said UHRP Executive Director Omer Kanat in a statement. “The Turkish courts should ensure Dolkun Isa, a tireless advocate for Uyghur rights, is not unjustly denied entry.”

UHRP would also like to thank members of the opposition parties who attended the hearing and made statements in support of Mr. Isa.

Mr. Isa’s entry ban may be related to a spurious INTERPOL Red Notice placed on him by Chinese authorities. The Chinese government has groundlessly accused him of “terrorism” for decades; the Red Notice was finally lifted in 2018. Turkey should not allow itself to be a part of China’s abuse of the Red Notice system, or allow the Chinese government to dictate who should be allowed to enter its borders.