From July 7th to 11th, 2025, 42 young human rights advocates from around the world gathered in Geneva for the Youth Rights Academy, a collaborative program organized by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Education Above All. The program provided a platform for emerging voices to learn about international human rights mechanisms and to engage with UN experts and institutions.
We are proud to share that Kawsar Omar, a research assistant at the Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD), was among the selected participants. Representing Uyghur youth, Kawsar spoke about the challenges faced by Uyghurs under the Chinese government’s policies in East Turkistan and engaged in dialogue with global peers and human rights professionals.
Since joining UTJD, one of Kawsar’s key responsibilities has been to focus on engaging UN bodies relevant to the Uyghur crisis and exploring the most effective ways to use these international mechanisms for advocacy. Her participation in the Youth Rights Academy was a natural extension of this work, providing her with firsthand experience in navigating the UN human rights system and expanding her knowledge of international legal and advocacy tools
At UTJD, we believe in empowering the younger generation to become informed and active advocates for justice. We are committed to supporting youth participation in international forums, and Kawsar’s involvement in this UN program is a testament to that commitment.
In addition to supporting youth initiatives, UTJD actively engages in outreach to UN mechanisms to submit evidence and documentation of ongoing human rights violations in East Turkistan. This includes data-driven reports, victim testimonies, and legal analysis, aimed at holding perpetrators accountable and amplifying the voices of survivors.
We are encouraged by the growing involvement of Uyghur youth in international advocacy spaces and will continue to support their development as future leaders. Kawsar’s achievement not only contributes to her personal and professional growth but also reflects UTJD’s broader mission to ensure justice through documentation, advocacy, and education.
