A strategic shift in approach – Türkiye urges China to respect Uyghur rights

Turkey’s latest demand from China to revisit its Uyghur policy has caught the attention of the global community, causing huge embarrassment to Beijing.  Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently called on Chinese authorities to respect the cultural rights of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang province, urging them to allow the Uyghurs to “live their values.” This statement marks a significant departure from the cautious approach that Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has adopted in recent years regarding the Uyghur issue.

Erdoğan, once a vocal advocate for Uyghur rights, has largely remained silent on this issue to maintain strong economic ties with Beijing. However, growing domestic pressure from opposition parties and civil society seems to have forced Erdoğan to talk tough with China.

In fact, the tension started building up as late as In February when Turkish authorities arrested six individuals on charges of espionage, accused of spying on Uyghur leaders and organizations on behalf of Chinese intelligence. While Turkish authorities did not confirm the nationalities of the detainees, an investigation by Radio Free Asia reported they were of Uyghur ethnicity. This incident added to the complexities of the Beijing–Ankara relationship, especially concerning the Uyghur issue. The Uyghurs, a Turkic-speaking people originating from inte

rior Asia, have faced persecution by Chinese authorities, prompting many to seek refuge in Turkey. Since the 1950s, Turkey has become a favored destination for Uyghurs fleeing persecution, with around 50,000 Uyghurs now residing in Turkey, forming the largest Uyghur diaspora outside China. Turks have close ethnic, religious and linguistic ties to the Uyghurs, a mostly Muslim people who speak a Turkic language.

Beijing has come under  global criticism including from Ankara over its treatment of its Uyghur minority but has always denied mistreating them. As a result, Erdogan’s government has faced criticism domestically for what critics say are insufficient efforts to protect Uyghurs and their rights.

Pressure has been mounting on Erdogan government from the opposition parties and civil society. Opposition leaders like MeralAkşener of the İYİ Party and Mansur Yavaş, the mayor of Ankara, have been extremely critical of China’s policies in Xinjiang. Their stance has found resonance among many Turkish citizens who feel a cultural and religious kinship with the Uyghurs.

The 2024 Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s “Democracy Index” classified Turkey as a hybrid regime, indicating that while the government maintains significant control, there is still space for public dissent. The Turkish public’s sentiment against the treatment of Uyghurs cannot be ignored by Erdoğan, especially as he faces declining support for his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkey’s explicit call for China to respect Uyghur rights has not only embarrassed Beijing but also validated allegations of human rights violations in Xinjiang by several countries, including the United States and Japan. China has consistently denied these allegations, describing the internment camps as vocational training centers aimed at combating extremism.

Beijing’s response to Turkey’s stance is yet to fully unfold, but it is clear that China views Turkey as a critical ally in its broader geopolitical strategy, particularly in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. The potential for strained relations with Turkey may complicate China’s efforts to establish overland transit corridors to Europe through Central Asia.

It may be mentioned here that the issue had led to a major escalation between Ankara and Beijing in 2019, when Turkey brought the minority’s plight up at the United Nations, condemning Beijing for “torturing” more than a million Uyghurs.

Turkey’s recalibrated stance on the Uyghur issue has highlighted a significant geopolitical shift. By speaking out, Turkey has taken the risk of alienating China but simultaneously it has positioned itself as a defender of human rights within the Islamic world. This move could enhance Turkey’s influence among Turkic and Muslim-majority countries, potentially rallying them to a unified stance on the Uyghur issue.

The timing of this shift also aligns with Turkey’s aspirations to play a more significant role in a multipolar world where the U.S., China, and Russia each wield considerable influence. By leveraging its cultural and religious ties with the Uyghurs, Turkey could bolster its strategic positioning and diplomatic clout in the region. Deeply embarrassed by Turkey’s move, how will China react-will be known in the days to come.