History of the
East Turkistan Community in Australia
The first known group to have arrived from East Turkistan to Australia was the Tatar ethnic group. The Tatars arrived in East Turkistan in 1917 after the Russian Revolution and formed settlements in East Turkistan with Russians and Turkic peoples such as the Uighurs, Uzbeks and Kazakhs.
The Sadris were the first Tatar family to settle in South Australia from East Turkistan. They were sponsored by members of a Russian Pentecostal Church in Queenstown.
Russian Pentecostal South Australians had immigrated to South Australia from East Turkistan under the world Council of Churches ‘White Russian Program’ in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.
By 1978 the Sadris were helping other Tatars to emigrate to South Australia. After these migrants had estabilished themselves they in turn sponsored Tatars, Uzbeks, Uighurs and Russians to immigrate to South Australia from East Turkistan where they continued to suffer political, cultural and ethnic persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Regime.
After 1985 the East Turkistan population in Australia doubled mainly due to family reunions and marriages.
After the brutal Ghulja Massacre in February 1997 many youth fled East Turkistan to neighboring countries and subsequently made their way to Australia where many were given refugee status and allowed to settle in Australian by the Australian Government.
Goals
Establish and promote goodwill, brotherhood, friendship, and unity among the people of East Turkistan, while striving for the preservation of their religious and cultural identity, and advocating for the eventual realization of an independent East Turkistan.
Ensure utmost respect and obedience to the constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, including its head of state, the King, Government, laws, and democratic institutions.
Work towards better understanding between the people of Australia and the East Turkistan community, with an overarching goal of promoting awareness about the historical and political context, including the independence of East Turkistan.
Objectives
Raise awareness about the plight of the people of East Turkistan under Chinese Communist occupation. Advocate for Human Rights, end of Chinese regime and independence of East Turkistan.
Assist Uyghurs, who have been forced to flee and become refugees. Cooperate fully with the Australian Government on the issue of refugees from East Turkistan.
East Turkistan Flag & Coat of Arms
East Turkistan Republic Flag
It is the flag that was declared in 1933 and 1944 by the East Turkistan Republic which is a light blue flag with a white crescent and white star in the middle.
East Turkistan Republic Coat of Arms
This armorial bearing stands for the national liberation movement of the independent East Turkistan Republic Government, which was established in 1933.