Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) visited Binghamton University’s Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention from September 20th to 24th, where Executive Director Rushan Abbas was invited as a visiting practitioner in order to spread awareness and information regarding the ongoing Uyghur Genocide. The Institute offers a center for students and scholars to learn about genocide and mass atrocity prevention, building a strong foundation for the next generation of leaders who will address crimes like these, and CFU considers it a privilege to be invited to be a part of their work. 

Nadia Rubaii, co-director of the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention offered this: “Rushan Abbas was I-GMAP’s first in-person visiting practitioner since the start of the pandemic and her visit reinforced the value of these face-to-face engagements. Students, faculty and staff alike, even those who already knew about the ongoing Uyghur genocide, learned so much more. I am confident that many have been moved to examine the large and small ways they can stop being complicit and start contributing to prevention.”

In regards to the Institute’s invaluable work on genocide education, Ms. Abbas said “It is inspiring to see so many care so deeply for their fellow global citizens. If we are to confront this crisis, and the crises that come after it, we must create a generation of resilient leaders that are capable of responding to genocide. I was proud to speak to some of those future leaders and see that there is a future filled with hope ahead of us.” 

While at Binghamton, Rushan Abbas participated in an online panel entitled “Responding to the Uyghur Genocide: Assessing Policy and Legislative Options for the U.S, and delivered an in-person presentation on “Confronting the Uyghur Genocide”. During multiple classroom visits, she engaged with diverse groups of students to speak on the ways in which the international community can engage with stopping the atrocities in East Turkistan. In helping the students connect this current crisis with past crimes, a valuable learning opportunity to put education into action was created, with the material effect of saving the existence of the Uyghur people. 

It is always a privilege to speak with universities and their students on the Uyghur genocide, and the issues facing Turkic peoples. 

CFU encourages any universities that are interested to reach out to Campaign for Uyghurs to arrange similar visits or establish chapter groups on campus.