Send message to Author

Abstract

This paper is an empirical case study of the Uyghur diaspora's evolution from a local to a transnational advocacy movement, examining how the diaspora's advocacy practices, based on regularly framing its cause within a human rights-based framework, have enabled it to achieve robust and successful results. My research aims to focus on the various phases of the Uyghur diaspora movement in a historical context (1950s to present) to explore the changing organizational structures, political opportunities, advocacy strategies, and, most importantly, the frames—with a particular emphasis on critical junctures. I argue that the Uyghur diaspora's successful advocacy efforts are a result of their strategic use of human rights framing, along with the evolution of their organizational practices, strategies, and ability to adapt to changing political landscapes over time. In an increasingly polarized world where human rights violations occur across the globe, the Uyghur diaspora’s advocacy journey as a non-state actor could have important implications for transnational advocacy movements, state and non-state actors, and individuals who prioritize human rights for everyone.

Through qualitative content analysis of diaspora publications in the form of books and journals, archival resources, organizational material, diaspora websites, and protest signs (focusing on 5 July 2009 onward), as well as findings from extensive fieldwork (ten months between 2012 and 2024 in various locations) among the Uyghur diaspora (expert interviews, surveys, and participant observations), I assess the stages of emergence and mobilization, critical junctures and frames, and the goals and strategies adopted by the diaspora. I conducted a content analysis of social media accounts (X and Facebook) of diaspora elites and a frequency analysis of grassroots diaspora from 2017 to the present. Media coverage of the issue in selected host countries, especially during critical junctures, is analysed to measure levels of awareness. The legislative and judicial documents of the host countries, statements from host-country leaders, and resolutions and reports of international organizations allowed me to evaluate the overall success of Uyghur diaspora advocacy efforts.