dogu-turkistan-sempozyumu

FREEEAST TURKISTAN SYMPOSIUMThe violations against women are not limited to just these. China is thecentre and origin of h human trafficking in women and children. Uyghur girls,from 16 to 22 years of age, are forced to work in return for very low wages; theyare often forced into prostitution and are taken from their parents by force to besent to work in factories in distant parts of China. It has been reported that nearly1 million girls are victims of such situations. The suicide rate among young girlsis very high due to this practice. According to data released by the InternationalLabour Organization, around 20 thousand people are trafficked in the Chinesemarket and women and children constitute for almost 90% of this figure.It is very surprising that women’s organizations worldwide remain silent inthe face of such practices directed against the women of East Turkistan. Thesilence of these organizations should be replaced with screams of outrage throughreports that are prepared by NGOs that operate in women’s rights; efforts shouldbe made to put an end to the sufferings of the women of East Turkistan.What can be done by NGOs to resolve the East Turkistan issue?Freedom and human rights have been sacrificed after September 11; nowthey are searching for new positions. In such an environment, all parties andNGOs have much to do to combat policies that destroy all fundamental rightsand freedoms, which have been abused in the name of anti-terrorism. Unlikegovernmental parties, NGOs and non-profit organizations throughout the worldcan act as an umbrella to protect human rights if they act with good will and onan ethical basis; if different belief and ideological groups become united for thesame goal and if they make noise about these matters in an organized mannerthen things may change.Arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial executions and the infliction of thedeath penalty, forced abortion and sterilization, forced migration, the prohibitionof religious education and religious activities, restrictions on public services,the spread of fatal and contagious diseases, such as AIDS, forced labour,forced migration for labour, restrictions on travel and mobility, the preventionof communication and access to information are all problems that have beeninflicted on East Turkistan by China in an arbitrary manner. All forms of humanright abuses and other such evil activities are destined to be eliminated in the538