East Turkistan Independence: ETGE Lobbies Turkish Leaders Ahead of OTS Summit
The East Turkistan Government-in-Exile meets Turkish political parties ahead of the OTS summit to demand independence and end Chinese occupation.
In a strategic move to garner international diplomatic momentum, the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE) has conducted a series of high-level consultations with prominent Turkish political parties and Turkic institutions. These meetings, held in Ankara, come at a critical juncture just before the upcoming Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) summit, as the ETGE pushes for the decolonisation and restoration of independence for East Turkistan.
High-Level Political Engagement in Ankara
The ETGE delegation, which included members of the East Turkistan Parliament-in-Exile representing the diaspora in Türkiye and Seyfullah Abdukadir, President of the East Turkistan National Fund, engaged with a broad spectrum of Turkey's political landscape. The consultations spanned across various ideological lines, involving representatives from several key parties:
- AK Parti: Discussions were held with Deputy Chairman and Head of Relations with Turkic States, Kürşad Zorlu.
- Anahtar Parti: The delegation met with Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu.
- Nationalist Movement Party (MHP): Meetings were conducted with Deputy Chairman and Ankara MP Mevlüt Karakaya.
- Republican People's Party (CHP) and İYİ Party: Consultations included İYİ Party Deputy Chairmen Dr. Cenk Özatıcı and Hakan Şeref Olgun.
- Great Unity Party (BBP): The delegation met with Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. Ahmet Emin Serin and Istanbul Provincial Chairman Sultan Selim Şimşek.
The Case for Independence: The White Paper
Central to these discussions was a white paper presented by the ETGE titled "East Turkistan Was Never a Part of China and Restoring Its Independence Is the Only Way Forward." Along with this document, the delegation submitted a formal letter requesting specific legal, parliamentary, and diplomatic assistance.
The ETGE has urged Türkiye to spearhead international efforts to terminate what it describes as China's ongoing occupation and colonisation of the region, while also highlighting the tragedy of an ongoing genocide.
Key Demands and Legal Pleas
The delegation's requests to the Turkish government and its political entities were comprehensive, focusing on international justice and institutional recognition:
- International Legal Support: Backing for the genocide complaint filed by the ETGE and the East Turkistan National Movement with the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- United Nations Action: Support for a petition submitted to the UN regarding the decolonisation of the region.
- Institutional Status: A call for the ETGE to be granted observer status within both the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Strengthening Turkic Solidarity
Beyond political parties, the ETGE extended its outreach to the Organisation of Turkic States, the Union of Turkic World Organisations, and the Turkic World Youth Union Congress. This effort to embed East Turkistan's cause within Turkic and Muslim multilateral forums is seen as vital for the region's national representation.
As a gesture of gratitude and recognition, the ETGE conferred its Order of Friendship upon several individuals and entities for their advocacy and journalistic work. Recipients included Anahtar Parti Chairman Yavuz Ağıralioğlu, BBP Chairman Mustafa Destici, writer Taha Kılınç, and the QHA–Crimean News Agency.
"East Turkistan's future must be determined by its own people, free from Chinese occupation and colonial domination," stated ETGE President Dr. Mamtimin Ala.
President Ala further emphasized that solidarity from Türkiye and other Turkic and Muslim states must now transition from rhetoric into sustained diplomatic action to ensure international justice and the eventual independence of East Turkistan.