İYİ Party asks Turkey's parliament to condemn China's 'genocide' of Uyghurs

İYİ Party has asked parliament to condemn China's persecution of Uyghurs during its visit to Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop. The party deemed China's practices in Xinjiang "genocide" and said that Turkey's silence on the issue is "unacceptable."

Duvar English

The right-wing Good (İYİ) Party has asked Turkey's parliament to condemn China's persecution of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, saying that the country's silence on the issue is "unacceptable."

Deputies Lütfü Türkkan, Müsavat Dervioşoğlu and İsmail Tatlıoğlu submitted a proposal to Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop on March 3, as they urged parliament to adopt a joint decision regarding China's "genocide" and announce it to the international community. 

"It's unacceptable for our parliament to remain silent when countries are officially reacting one after the other to the sufferings of our kin and fellow Muslims in East Turkestan," read the motion. 

"We have a responsibility towards our people, history and the Turks and Muslims of East Turkestan," it added. 

Earlier, İYİ Party leader Meral Akşener said that her party was set to submit a motion for China's persecution of Uyghurs to be recognized as a "genocide."

She also said that İYİ Party expects support from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli "if he can get Mr. Perinçek's permission." 

Akşener was referring to Patriotic Party leader Doğu Perinçek, who is known for his staunch support for the Communist Party of China. Akşener last month called him "Jinping Perinçek," referring to Communist Party leader Xi Jinping.