Who we are

Founded in 2022, the Uyghur Youth Initiative is a group of young activists from Germany committed to defending the human rights of the Uyghur people. We work to raise awareness, inspire action, and advocate for justice and dignity for the Uyghur community.

What we stand for

We are committed to promoting freedom, peace, and, above all, justice. Our mission is to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced, ensuring their stories are heard. Human rights are universal, and we firmly believe that every individual’s humanity must be recognized and protected.

What we do

UYI is dedicated to a range of impactful activities. We design and execute campaigns to raise awareness and drive action. Our initiatives include organizing workshops specifically for Uyghur youth activists, hosting events and demonstrations, and leveraging social media for advocacy. Through these efforts, we aim to amplify voices, foster activism, and promote understanding of the Uyghur cause.

The Uyghurs are a Turkic-speaking ethnic minority with Central Asian roots. With an estimated population of 11 million, they form the largest Muslim group in China, after the Hui Chinese. However, global estimates suggest the total Uyghur population is closer to 20 million.

Formerly known as the Republic of East Turkestan, their region was renamed the “Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region” following China’s annexation in 1949. Xinjiang is located in the northwestern part of the country. Despite being labeled “autonomous,” the Uyghurs face brutal repression, including mass internment, forced labor, and cultural erasure—clear signs of an ongoing genocide aimed at destroying their identity and existence as a people.

Our movement seeks to connect Uyghur and ally youth across the world, uniting us in a shared mission to raise awareness, hold perpetrators accountable, and amplify the voices of those silenced in East Turkestan. Whether through organizing protests, mobilizing online campaigns, or advocating for policy changes, we aim to keep the world’s attention on the atrocities occurring in our homeland.

At its core, the Uyghur Youth Movement is about resistance and hope. We refuse to let our heritage be extinguished. By building a global community, fostering solidarity, and relentlessly pursuing justice, we aim to protect our future as a people. Our generation is determined to see an end to the oppression, to demand accountability, and to ensure that the world does not forget the struggle of the Uyghur people.