ETNC-Briefing at the Belgium Parliament

From: Enver Can

Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 10:31 PM

HEARING AT THE Belgium PARLIAMENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN EASTERN TURKESTAN AND SITUATION OF UYGHURS IN KAZAKHSTAN Mr. Esqer Jan (Can) the secretary general of Eastern Turkestan "Uyghuristan" National Congress briefed European parlamentarians on Wednesday, 10th of January 2001, on the human rights violations in Eastern Turkestan, and the situation of Uyghur community in Kazakhstan. The Briefing was co-sponsored by Amnesty International Section in Belgium; The Tibet Initiative group of Belgium and a parlamentarian of the Green Party in the European Parliament. The one-day Hearing was moderated by the head of Tibet Initiative group of Belgium Ms. Veronique Goffe. Head of the Amnesty International Section in Belgium Ms. Dominique Demees spoke also to the parlamentarians about the human rights violations perpetuated on Uyghurs in Eastern Turkestan. Mr. Lawrenc Deuardin of the Tibet Initiative Belgium briefed the parlamentarians about the situation of the Uyghur community in Kazakhstan.There are now about 400 (four hundred) Uyghurs from Kazakhstan who sought asylum in Belgium. Mr. Umit Hamit, head of the Youth Committee of the ETNC gave a speech about the problems of the Uyghur youth in Eastern Turkestan.

After the Hearing all the speakers jointly attended a press Conference. Mr. Esqer Jan was also interviewed by the RTBF television, one of the main TV sitations of Belgium. The leaders of Eastern Turkestan "Uyghuristan" National Congress attended the Hearing at the European Parliament on special invitation from the co-sponsors.

Enver Can president

Eastern Turkestan "Uyghuristan" National Congress