World Uyghur Congress Exposes China’s Global Campaign To Silence Uyghur Activists

May 04, 2025: The World Uyghur Congress (WUC), in its latest Weekly Brief, has highlighted an alarming escalation in China’s global repression tactics targeting Uyghur activists and human rights defenders.

Drawing from investigations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and other global media sources, the WUC report reveals how the Chinese government is increasingly using fake non-governmental organizations, or government-organized NGOs (GONGOs), to manipulate international institutions—particularly the United Nations. These GONGOs, which masquerade as independent civil society groups, are actually deployed to shield China from scrutiny over its human rights violations in East Turkistan, Tibet, and Hong Kong.

WUC officials, including Vice President Zumretay Arkin and Executive Committee Vice Chair Erkin Zunun, reported instances of surveillance and intimidation during UN meetings, especially surrounding the WUC’s 8th General Assembly. These efforts, they argue, are part of a broader strategy to silence dissenting voices within key global platforms.

The Weekly Brief also reveals a disturbing wave of cyberattacks against WUC members. According to the WUC, cybersecurity watchdog Citizen Lab, with support from ICIJ, uncovered a cyber-espionage operation involving UyghurEditPP—a popular Uyghur-language text editor compromised with malware. This infected software, distributed via phishing emails, enabled state-backed hackers to monitor and target prominent Uyghur exiles. Erkin Zunun, one of the main targets, described the severe psychological impact of these digital intrusions.

Additionally, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) released a report, A Healthy Society Should Have More Than One Voice, which is cited in the WUC’s briefing. The report details how China systematically obstructs independent NGOs at the UN, delays their accreditation, and promotes its network of GONGOs across international human rights mechanisms. Case studies show a coordinated pattern of diplomatic coercion and harassment aimed at silencing critical voices, particularly from the Uyghur community.

The repression of Uyghur Muslims by China has drawn global condemnation, with numerous human rights organizations accusing Beijing of crimes against humanity and possible genocide. These abuses include mass surveillance, arbitrary detention in so-called “reeducation” camps, forced labor, and efforts to erase Uyghur religious and cultural identity. China continues to deny the allegations, framing its actions as counter-terrorism efforts.