Regarding the Visit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Delegation to East Turkistan

The East Turkistan Human Rights Watch (ETHR) has been informed that a delegation from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) visited East Turkistan on October 20-21, 2025, at the invitation of the People’s Republic of China. This marks the OIC’s second visit to the region.

The Chinese  authority’s purpose in inviting foreign diplomats and international media representatives since 2022 is to conceal the severe human rights violations and genocide policies it enforces against the Uyghur and other Turkic and Muslim peoples in East Turkistan. These visits are a core component of China’s strategy to legitimize its oppressive policies and deflect international criticism while attempting to project a positive image to the Islamic world.

As the ETHR, we emphatically remind all members of the visiting OIC delegation, whose Organization is recognized as the collective voice of the Muslim world and is mandated to safeguard and protect the interests of Muslim peoples:

Your tours are typically conducted under the strict supervision and guidance of the Chinese authorities. All programs are meticulously pre-arranged, and the delegation’s itinerary is rigidly confined by pre-determined schedules and routes.

Therefore, any delegation visiting the region must maintain a critical and responsible approach toward the narratives and environments likely to be staged by the Chinese government during their visit. They must be acutely aware that the truth lies behind China’s props and set-ups. Furthermore, they must exercise caution in any statements they make, ensuring they do not become pawns in China’s propaganda methods. The only way to ascertain the facts is by demanding independent and unsupervised access to detention facilities and allowing the local populace to speak freely.

East Turkistan Human Rights Watch (ETHR) October 21, 2025