Urgent Call to Advocate for Uyghur Rights: Release Ilham Tohti

We, the International Support for Uyghurs (ISU), are writing to draw your urgent attention to the case of Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economist who was unjustly serving a life sentence in China. Recently marked by Human Rights Watch, Tohti’s ongoing imprisonment underscores China’s continued violation of Uyghur rights and its broader persecution of Uyghur intellectuals. As you know, Tohti was a strong advocate for dialogue between Uyghurs and Chinese, yet his peaceful efforts have led to a life sentence, with no regard for his calls for understanding.

As an organization committed to defending the rights of Uyghurs in Canada and beyond, ISU urges Canadian leaders to speak out against this injustice and push for his immediate release. We call on you to support diplomatic efforts and sanctions targeting Chinese officials responsible for Uyghur oppression, aligning Canada’s foreign policy with human rights and dignity. This case is a clear symbol of the Chinese government’s brutal crackdown on Uyghurs, which affects countless lives.