The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has highlighted growing concern across Europe about Beijing’s repression and transnational reach, according to the WUC’s weekly brief and media reporting. The brief surfaces a string of recent events — political meetings, cultural showcases, and investigative reporting — that together have sharpened scrutiny of China’s policies toward Uyghurs and its influence abroad.
At the Copenhagen Democracy Summit in Denmark (May 12–14, 2026), WUC representatives raised alarms about what they describe as continuing persecution in East Turkistan. Gheyyur Kurban, director of the WUC’s Berlin office, met with political leaders, policy experts and civil society actors to press allegations that include genocide, cross-border repression of Uyghurs, and systematic efforts to dismantle Uyghur cultural identity. Participants also discussed Beijing’s expanding use of economic and political leverage to shape the policies and institutions of democratic countries.
Cultural events abroad have been used both to amplify Uyghur voices and to showcase the culture at risk. From May 13–17, a major contemporary art exhibition in Istanbul, Turkiye, included work by Kazakhstan-based Uyghur artist Ahmat Akhat. His paintings, which depict Uyghur traditions, architecture and everyday life, featured at the Dr Mimar Kadir Topbas Exhibition and Art Centre alongside artists from more than 40 countries, drawing substantial public interest.
In Germany, the WUC and the Uyghur Centre for Democracy and Human Rights took part in a Turkish cultural festival in Karlsruhe (May 15–16). Activists distributed information about alleged abuses in East Turkistan — including forced assimilation, mass detention and suppression of cultural identity — and used the festival to raise awareness among festivalgoers. During the event, activist Dolkun Isa presented the Turkish edition of his book and discussed his work opposing Chinese policies.
Concerns over Beijing’s surveillance capabilities escalated after investigative reporting by The Telegraph (published May 19) described a government-linked monitoring platform that researchers say is used to track foreigners, journalists and Uyghurs within China. The report alleges the system aggregates travel records, surveillance-camera feeds and digital identity data to enable real-time monitoring of individuals.
Uyghur groups also marked the birthday of imprisoned scholar Rahile Dawut, renewing calls for her release and denouncing what they describe as targeted campaigns against Uyghur intellectuals and cultural figures.
Taken together, the meetings, cultural events and investigative reporting have intensified European attention on both human rights abuses affecting Uyghurs and the broader question of how China projects power and influence beyond its borders. The WUC brief and associated coverage underline calls from activists and some policymakers for firmer scrutiny and coordinated responses from democratic governments.
