International Support for Uyghurs

04/11/2026

International Support for Uyghurs (ISU) Statement

ISU is aware of a distressing incident on March 20, 2026, during a Nowruz celebration organized by the East Turkistan Association of Canada at the Sandman Hotel in Mississauga. During the event, an attendee identified as Furkat Mahmud, supported by a family member, reportedly removed a flag recognized as a vital symbol of Uyghur identity and struggle, stating he did not wish to be associated with it.

This action caused significant distress among attendees, particularly newly arrived refugees. While newcomers arrive with diverse perspectives, community spaces must remain safe environments that respect the shared history, displacement, and ongoing repression of the Uyghur people.

Additionally, ISU is monitoring serious concerns regarding the conduct of individuals in community leadership or newcomer support roles. Any instances of intimidation, coercion, or misuse of authority toward vulnerable refugees must be addressed with strict accountability and due process.

All Uyghur refugees deserve to build their new lives in Canada free from fear, and their cultural identity must be treated with dignity. We call on community members, leaders, and partner organizations to constructively address these concerns, support open dialogue, and uphold unity.

The well-being and cohesion of the Uyghur community in Canada remains our priority, and ISU is committed to engaging responsibly as this situation develops.

04/11/2026

April 04, 2026

The ISU strongly condemns MP Michael Ma’s recent remarks suggesting there is “no forced labor” in China. Such statements distort a well-documented human rights crisis and diminish the suffering of victims. Public figures have a responsibility to speak accurately on matters verified by credible international sources.

Substantial evidence from the United Nations and independent organizations confirms severe human rights violations in East Turkistan. State-imposed forced labor, affecting Uyghur, Tibetan, and other minority groups, is a systemic issue tied to mass detention, surveillance, restricted movement, and political indoctrination.

These abuses are not speculative. Witness testimony, leaked documents, and satellite imagery prove detainees are compelled to work in internment facilities and labor transfer programs. This coercion extends far beyond the region into global supply chains, raising serious concerns for consumers, governments, and businesses worldwide.

The ISU rejects any attempt to deny or minimize these abuses, as denial only delays accountability and undermines international human rights efforts. We urge elected officials, the media, and the public to listen to survivors and rely on credible evidence rather than claims that obscure reality.

The ISU stands in solidarity with the victims of repression and forced labor in East Turkistan and calls for truth, accountability, and meaningful action.

03/20/2026

02/09/2026

Yesterday, on the 7th of February 2026, the cold in Montreal was biting. The wind cut right through our layers, and for a moment, it forced us to feel the reality of 1997.

In Ghulja, the protesters didn't just face the winter air—they faced water cannons that froze them where they stood. Standing there yesterday, shivering in the wind, felt like a small but powerful act of solidarity with what they endured.

To everyone who came out, who shivered, and who held their ground with us: thank you. You proved that while the cold can numb our bodies, it cannot freeze our spirit.

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Hier, le 7 février 2026, le froid à Montréal était mordant. Le vent traversait nos manteaux, et pendant un instant, il nous a forcés à ressentir la réalité de 1997.

À Ghulja, les manifestants n'ont pas seulement affronté l'air hivernal—ils ont affronté des canons à eau qui les ont gelés sur place. Rester là hier, à frissonner dans le vent, était un acte de solidarité petit mais puissant envers ce qu'ils ont enduré.

À tous ceux qui sont sortis, qui ont frissonné et qui ont tenu bon avec nous : merci. Vous avez prouvé que si le froid peut engourdir nos corps, il ne peut pas geler notre esprit.

01/31/2026

We Remember. We Resist. We Demand Justice.

On February 5, 1997, thousands of Uyghurs marched peacefully in Ghulja to demand their fundamental human rights. The Chinese government responded with brutal force—mass arrests, executions, and a crackdown that continues to this day.

29 years later, the silence has not broken us.

Join International Support for Uyghurs this Saturday as we honor the victims of the Ghulja Massacre and stand against the ongoing genocide in East Turkistan. We will gather to amplify the voices that the regime tried to extinguish and to demand an end to the occupation, forced labor, and concentration camps.

Your presence is a message: The world is watching.

📅 When: Saturday, February 7th, 2026
🕐 Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Where: 2100 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montreal (H3H 2T3)

Bring your flags, your signs, and your solidarity.

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Nous nous souvenons. Nous résistons. Nous exigeons la justice.

Le 5 février 1997, des milliers d'Ouïghours ont marché pacifiquement à Ghulja pour réclamer leurs droits humains fondamentaux. Le gouvernement chinois a répondu par une force brutale : arrestations massives, exécutions et une répression qui perdure encore aujourd'hui.

29 ans plus t**d, le silence ne nous a pas brisés.

Rejoignez Soutien International aux Ouïghours ce samedi pour honorer la mémoire des victimes du massacre de Ghulja et vous opposer au génocide en cours au Turkestan oriental. Nous nous rassemblerons pour amplifier les voix que le régime a tenté d'éteindre et pour exiger la fin de l'occupation, du travail forcé et des camps de concentration.

Votre présence est un message : le monde nous regarde.

📅 Quand : Samedi 7 février 2026
🕐 Heure : 13h00 – 14h00
📍 Lieu : 2100 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montréal (H3H 2T3)

Apportez vos drapeaux, vos pancartes et votre solidarité.

01/24/2026

Today, we had the honor of collaborating with and for a powerful workshop on the Uyghur cause. We dove deep into the historical and political realities facing the Uyghur community, connecting these struggles to our broader Islamic duty of justice and solidarity.

It wasn't just about learning the facts—it was about waking up to our responsibility. We left the room not just informed, but mobilized.

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up, asked questions, and committed to carrying this message forward. This is just the beginning.

01/20/2026

UYGHUR SOLIDARITY & VOICE: AWARENESS WORKSHOP AND TALK

Amana Concordia, in collaboration with International Support for Uyghurs (ISU) and McGill Students for Uyghurs Solidarity (MSUS), invites students to an educational workshop focused on the Uyghur cause.

The event will offer a foundational overview of the historical and political context surrounding the persecution of Uyghurs, while linking it to questions of justice and solidarity from an Islamic perspective, to better conscientize Muslim and non-Muslim students on the importance of the Uyghur struggle and encourage mobilization.

DATE: Friday, January 23 - STARTING 3:00 PM
WHERE: Guy-de-Maisonneuve Building, Room 450, Concordia University

12/19/2025

🚨 URGENT: Protect Witnesses to Uyghur Atrocities
✊ Strengthen Canada’s Response

International Support for Uyghurs (ISU) is calling on Canadians to act.
We defend the basic freedoms of Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in and empower our communities in Canada through advocacy, research, and organizing.

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⚠️ **The Case of Guan Heng**
Guan Heng, a 38‑year‑old Chinese citizen, is detained by U.S. authorities after documenting internment and prison camps used against Uyghurs.

In 2020, he filmed several heavily secured compounds — including an expanded **Dabancheng prison complex** — confirming ongoing mass internment.

Now, Guan faces **deportation to China**, where he could be imprisoned or killed for exposing the truth. This raises serious concerns about **refoulement** of key witnesses to human‑rights abuses.

📎 Source: [https://statics.teams.cdn.office.net/evergreen-assets/safelinks/2/atp-safelinks.html](https://statics.teams.cdn.office.net/evergreen-assets/safelinks/2/atp-safelinks.html)

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💔 **Ongoing Atrocities in East Turkistan**
Since 2017, millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims have been:
🔹 Arbitrarily detained
🔹 Forcibly indoctrinated
🔹 Separated from families
🔹 Subjected to torture and forced labour

These abuses are tied to global supply chains and continue despite international outrage.

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🗣️ **ISU Calls on Canadian MPs to:**
🇨🇦 Urge the U.S. to halt Guan Heng’s deportation and grant humanitarian protection.
🛡️ Advocate for stronger protections for Uyghur and Chinese dissidents.
🧾 Strengthen Canadian laws on forced labour and supply-chain accountability.
🤝 Engage with the Uyghur community — attend the Uyghur Canadian Conference and meet local members.

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Together, we must stand for truth, protect witnesses, and ensure Canada remains a voice for justice. 💪

12/12/2025

Make a Difference. Join Our Volunteer Team!
Stand with us to support the Uyghur community and help create real change. We’re looking for passionate individuals to contribute their time and skills to raise awareness, amplify voices, and drive global advocacy efforts.
✅ Areas where your help matters:

Social Media Content
Event Planning
Outreach
Spreading Awareness
Translation
Research

Your commitment can make a lasting impact on human rights worldwide. 💪
📞 Contact us today: +1 (514) 998-5951
🌐 Learn more: www.isupportuyghurs.org/en/contact
✨ Together, we can turn compassion into action. Are you ready to join us?

11/08/2025

The International Support for Uyghurs (ISU) defends Uyghur rights in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) and urges Canada to act against mass detention, forced labour, and displacement. Since 2017, over 3 million Uyghurs have been detained, with many governments and the UN recognizing China’s campaign as genocide.

Recently, Turkish journalists joined China-sponsored tours, denying abuses and echoing propaganda that depicts Uyghurs as “happy” through staged public scenes. Rights groups warn that China uses Turkey’s media to mask ongoing repression and legitimize its narrative.

ISU urges Canadian MPs to:
• Support laws protecting Uyghur rights.
• Enforce oversight of imports tied to forced labour.
• Create pathways for Uyghur refugees.

Canada must defend freedom and human dignity — silence means complicity.

Le Soutien international aux Ouïghours (SIO) défend les droits des Ouïghours au Turkestan oriental (Xinjiang) et appelle le Canada à agir contre la détention massive, le travail forcé et les déplacements. Depuis 2017, plus de 3 millions d’Ouïghours ont été détenus, un génocide reconnu par plusieurs gouvernements et l’ONU.

Récemment, des journalistes turcs invités par Pékin ont nié les abus et relayé la propagande chinoise, montrant des scènes mises en scène pour présenter les Ouïghours comme “heureux”. La Chine exploite ainsi la presse turque pour masquer la répression.

Le SIO appelle les députés à :
• Protéger les droits des Ouïghours ;
• Contrôler les importations liées au travail forcé ;
• Accueillir les réfugiés ouïghours.

Le Canada doit défendre la liberté et la dignité — le silence équivaut à la complicité.