March 21, 2025

We the undersigned Uyghur Organizations around the world in collaboration with the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) want to express our deepest appreciation for the Trump Administration’s strong support of the Uyghur people who are now facing genocide and crimes against humanity in the hands of the Chinese government.

The recent condemnation of Secretary Marco Rubio of the forcible deportation of 40 Uyghur refugees by Thailand to China and his subsequent visa restrictions placed on the Thai officials complicit in deportation have given great hope for the Uyghur people under the new U.S. Administration. America’s long-standing and unwavering support for the Uyghurs has put authoritarian countries—like China and its autocratic allies—on notice that America stands firmly with the Uyghurs.

While we celebrate the defense of Uyghur people’s fundamental human rights by the US government, we remain deeply concerned with the prospect of closure of the only independent voice of the Uyghur people in the world – the Uyghur Service at Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Since the establishment in 1998, Uyghur Service has been a single and most crucial source of uncensored news for Uyghurs, reporting on mass detentions, forced labor, and the destruction of Uyghur culture, language and history. Despite efforts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to silence independent Uyghur voices, it remains one of the most credible, fact-based reporting to counter Beijing’s propaganda and disinformation campaign.

The decision to cut RFA Uyghur Service’s funding not only undermines America’s role as a defender of democracy and free speech but also gives China more power to shape global narratives in its favor, particularly against the U.S. Under Xi Jinping’s rule, China has intensified its disinformation warfare—denying its crimes, shifting blame onto the victims, and using economic coercion to silence governments worldwide. Without RFA’s fact-based reporting, China’s disinformation would go unchallenged, making it easier for Beijing to spread its lies, intimidate Uyghur exiles, and whitewash its crimes against humanity.

It is a fact that China poses the most consequential threat to U.S. national security. Under Xi Jinping, it seeks to displace the U.S. as the global superpower, using our homeland as a strategic hub for military expansion, resource extraction, and its Belt and Road Initiative. The funding cut also poses economic and security risks. China’s use of Uyghur forced labor undermines U.S. businesses by flooding markets with cheap goods, while its growing economic power strengthens its military, including advancements in technology and weapons.

Since 2017, China has relentlessly targeted Uyghur Service reporters by attacking their credibility and imprisoning their families, yet these journalists continue their vital work, knowing that without them, the world would not see the full extent of China’s atrocities. This Service has been instrumental in exposing China’s crimes, bringing global awareness, and informing U.S. policymakers. Their ground-breaking reporting played a key role in the first Trump Administration’s determination on China committing genocide and crimes against humanity against Uyghurs.

Therefore, we sincerely urge the Trump Administration to resume the funding of RFA Uyghur Service and ensure the Service continues its critical work. Closing Uyghur Service would hand China a propaganda victory in the world, allowing it to declare victory over the U.S. genocide determination as the “lies of the century.”

Ana Care and Education Uyghur Program 

Alberta Uyghur Association

Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association

Australian Uyghur Association

Belgium Uyghur Association

British Uyghur Association 

Campaign for Uyghurs

Center for Uyghur Studies

East Turkistan Association

East Turkistan Association of Canada

East Turkistan Education and Solidarity Association

East Turkistan Union in Europa 

East Turkistan Foundation

East Turkistan Information Center

East Turkistan Research Foundation

East Turkistan Ulema Association

East Turkistan Youth Association

East Turkistan Youth Independence Movement

Europa Uyghur Cultural Center

Europa Uyghur Academy 

Eurasia Uyghur Academy

Free East Turkistan Association

Hira Technology and Development Foundation

Ili Meshrep Uyghur Foundation

International Union of the East Turkistan Organizations

India Uyghur Association

Irish Uyghur Culture Association

Isa Yusuf Alptekin Foundation

Justice for Uyghurs

Japan Uyghur Association

Japan Uyghur Academy

Norway Uyghur Committee

Pakistan Ömer Uyghur Foundation

East Turkistan Federation

Taklimakan Publish Hause

Stop Uyghur Genocide

Swedish Uyghur Union

Switzerland Uyghur Association

Taxes Uyghur Society 

Uyghur American Association 

Uyghur Academy Australia

Uyghur Academy in Canada

Uyghur Academy Foundation

Uyghur Academy International

Uyghur Academy USA

Uyghur Center for Democracy and Human Rights

Uyghur Education and Cultural Union in Germany 

Uyghur Project Foundation

Uyghur Hjelp

Uyghur Human Rights Project

Uyghur Refugee Relief Fund

Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project

Uyghur Science and Education Foundation

Victoria Uyghur Association

World Uyghur Congress Foundation

World Uyghur Congress