In recent days, shocking allegations of sexual harassment have emerged against Dolkun Isa, the chairman of the World Uyghur Congress, and Nury Turkel, the chairman of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. These accusations, made by Julie Millsap, the government relations manager of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, and Esma Hazar Gun, an artist affiliated with the World Uyghur Congress, highlight a disturbing pattern of abuse of power within the human rights community.
The allegations, detailed in a report by the non-profit and non-partisan Aubreyton News Institute, describe instances where Isa and Turkel allegedly exploited their positions of authority to sexually harass Millsap and Gun. Despite numerous attempts to seek accountability, both Isa and Turkel have remained silent or offered vague apologies, failing to address the gravity of the accusations against them.
As human rights activists, we cannot turn a blind eye to such egregious violations within our own ranks. The actions of Isa and Turkel not only undermine the credibility of the organizations they represent but also perpetuate a culture of impunity that enables further harm to survivors of sexual harassment. It is imperative that we hold these individuals accountable for their actions and demand justice for the victims.
Furthermore, the condemnation of Isa's behavior by external organizations such as the East Turkistan Government-in-Exile and the European Uyghur Institute underscores the severity of the situation. Their calls for Isa's resignation and legal repercussions highlight the urgent need for action to address systemic issues of abuse within the Uyghur rights movement.
The response from the Uyghur community, both domestically and internationally, has been resolute in demanding accountability and justice. Organizations like the East Turkistan Youth Union and the American Uyghur Association have called for independent investigations into the allegations and have vowed to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual harassment.The integrity of the World Uyghur Congress, already under scrutiny due to internal power struggles, is further compromised by these allegations.
The allegations against Dolkun Isa and Nury Turkel are a wake-up call for the human rights community. We must confront the uncomfortable truths within our own ranks and take decisive action to ensure that survivors of sexual harassment are heard, believed, and supported. Only then can we truly uphold the principles of justice, dignity, and accountability that lie at the heart of our advocacy efforts.