Turkiye’s Hakan Fidan Avoids Uyghur Genocide Topic, Questions, Praises China as “Constructive Partner”

Turkiye’s Hakan Fidan Avoids Uyghur Human Rights Questions, Ankara continues decades-long silence on Uyghur genocide.

by Uyghur Times Staff

Jan 16, 2026

In a recent press conference, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan once again avoided directly addressing the ongoing Uyghur genocide in Uyghur homeland (East Turkistan), framing it as an internal matter while emphasizing deepening bilateral relations with Beijing. This stance has drawn sharp criticism from the Uyghur community and diaspora, who view it as a betrayal of historical ethnic and cultural bonds between Turks and Uyghurs.

During the press briefing, Fidan downplayed potential tensions, stating: “Because China is a powerful country. It has no problems with Türkiye; nor does it share a border with Türkiye. It may appear as if there are some security-related issues… but I have discussed these with our Chinese colleagues for years… Actually, these are all matters that have answers; there should not be too much of a problem here.”

On the Uyghur issue specifically, he remarked: “Regarding the Uyghur issue, you know where we stand. I evaluate that there is a historic opportunity before China here. Because in a Türkiye where there is a leader like our President—that is, a country that produces a policy with every country… based on the win-win principle… relations can go even further.”

Fidan’s comments highlight economic opportunities, praising China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Turkey’s role in the Middle Corridor, while welcoming Beijing’s “constructive roles” in regional affairs, such as mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

East Turkistan Government in Exile Slams Turkey’s Betrayal

This approach is indicative of a broader pattern under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership.

Salih Hudayar, Foreign & Security Minister of the East Turkistan Government in Exile (@ETExileGov), condemned Turkey’s longstanding collaboration with China, stating: “Since 1996, @MFATurkiye has actively worked with China to undermine and suppress East Turkistan’s independence struggle. FM @HakanFidan presents Turkiye’s stance on the Uyghurs as a ‘historic opportunity for China,’ and issues a ‘win-win’ call that will deepen this betrayal.”

Turkey, once a vocal defender of Uyghur rights—with Erdoğan himself describing China’s actions as “almost genocide” in 2009—has shifted toward silence and accommodation in recent years, prioritizing economic gains and geopolitical alignment over human rights advocacy in the Uyghur homeland.

Critically, Turkey has never joined other Western-led countries in issuing joint statements at the United Nations or elsewhere calling on China to respect Uyghur human rights, close detention camps, or end abuses documented as crimes against humanity by international bodies, including a 2022 UN report.

Domestically, Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has systematically blocked parliamentary initiatives on the issue. For instance, proposals to establish special committees or inquiries into human rights violations against Uyghurs have been rejected by AKP votes, often in coalition with its nationalist partners. Such motions, introduced by opposition parties in recent years, have been defeated, underscoring the government’s reluctance to confront China publicly.

Turkish leaders, including under the current administration, have emerged as among the most vocal supporters of Chinese sovereignty over the Uyghur homeland (East Turkistan), repeatedly affirming territorial integrity and non-interference in public statements. This contrasts sharply with the strong pro-Uyghur sentiments long held by the Turkish public, many of whom see Uyghurs as ethnic “brothers” due to shared Turkic roots.

Uyghurs and advocates argue that Turkey’s deference—driven by trade dependencies, infrastructure investments, and Belt and Road participation—comes at the cost of abandoning a vulnerable Muslim Turkic people facing mass detention, forced labor, cultural erasure, and worse. Fidan’s focus on “win-win” relations and a “historic opportunity” appears to signal continued prioritization of Beijing’s preferences over justice for Uyghurs.

As Turkey deepens economic and diplomatic engagement with China, the Uyghur diaspora in Turkey and worldwide continues to call for Ankara to reclaim its moral voice and stand against genocide in the Uyghur homeland.

Full Quote from Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s Press Conference (Reference):

“Because China is a powerful country. It has no problems with Türkiye; nor does it share a border with Türkiye. It may appear as if there are some security-related issues… but I have discussed these with our Chinese colleagues for years, including in my previous role. Actually, these are all matters that have answers; there should not be too much of a problem here.

Regarding the Uyghur issue, you know where we stand. I evaluate that there is a historic opportunity before China here. Because in a Türkiye where there is a leader like our President—that is, a country that produces a policy with every country and every structure that is truly qualitative, based on the win-win principle, and that engages in policies with a country like China that neither loses its rights nor usurps others’ rights—relations can go even further.

In the Belt and Road Initiative, especially in the Middle Corridor… You know, Türkiye is one of the leading actors because of its geography and the capacity it can put forward. Now, here we see that the potential has actually not been fully realized. The issue of connectivity is a matter that we emphasize very much, both as a Ministry and as a government. We are here to implement and mobilize every form of connectivity and produce benefit from it.

But our meetings will continue in the coming years. As you know, our President most recently visited China; we participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Summit there. Afterward, I stayed, and we attended the celebrations there. Our meetings were very intensive. Whenever there is a problem regarding regional issues, I meet with my colleague, Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi. In other words, we welcome China playing constructive roles regarding the problems in the region. As you know, China played a mediator role in bringing Iran and Saudi Arabia together. We frankly support China in playing similar constructive roles.”