Washington, D.C. — November 5, 2025
The Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) has been honored with the 2025 Democracy Award by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) for its unwavering advocacy on behalf of Uyghurs and other Muslim communities persecuted under Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rule.
Founded in 2017, CFU has emerged as a leading voice exposing the CCP’s repression in East Turkistan (Xinjiang) through survivor testimonies, international advocacy, diaspora empowerment, and interfaith coalition-building. The organization has played a crucial role in raising global awareness of China’s mass internment camps, forced labor system, and the systematic erasure of Uyghur cultural and religious identity.
Accepting the award on behalf of the organization, Rushan Abbas, CFU’s founder and executive director, continues her tireless work despite personal tragedy. In 2018, shortly after she spoke publicly in Washington, D.C., her sister Dr. Gulshan Abbas was detained by Chinese authorities and remains imprisoned. Her continued leadership reflects both resilience and a deep commitment to justice for Uyghurs.
Rushan Abbas said on X: “I am deeply honored to receive the @NEDemocracy 2025 Democracy Award, recognizing the @CUyghurs ’ continued advocacy for the Uyghur people. This is a recognition of the urgent need to confront the genocide faced by Uyghurs and to amplify their voices in the fight for freedom and justice. My heartfelt thanks to NED for its support and solidarity with the Uyghur cause, to the CFU’s board and staff whose tireless dedication makes our work possible, and to my beloved family and friends, whose strength and encouragement sustain me every day. There is still so much more to be done, and we remain steadfast in our mission to fight against ongoing Uyghur genocide and uphold the universal values of human rights and dignity.”
The Democracy Award, presented annually by NED’s Board of Directors, honors individuals and organizations advancing human rights and democracy worldwide. The award statue, modeled after the Goddess of Democracy raised during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, stands as a lasting symbol of the universal struggle for freedom and the unbreakable human spirit.
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