As a Uyghur, I believe the Tibetan people are not only our geographical neighbors but also our brothers and sisters in a shared destiny. Our nations are bound by centuries of historical ties and, today, by the painful reality of living under the same repressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party. We can and need to stand shoulder to shoulder in confronting the profound human tragedies caused by CCP's colonial rule, forced assimilation, and genocidal policies that have devastated our peoples. At this solemn moment, as we mourn the loss of Tibetan activist Lobsang Palden, I reaffirm my solidarity with the Tibetan people and Tibetan human rights, dignity, and freedom. May his sacrifice inspire greater understanding, unity, and action in support of all oppressed peoples.

I thank human rights Foundation @HRF for featuring my story and Uyghur voices in this year world press freedom day. Keeping Uyghur Stories Alive: Q&A with Exiled Uyghur Journalist Tahir Imin Leading up to World Press Freedom Day, Tahir Imin, an exiled Uyghur journalist and founder of the independent news outlets Uyghur Times and Uyghur Post, shared his reporting journey with us. He was previously a prisoner of conscience in China, detained for criticizing Han Chinese migration into the Uyghur Region and the marginalization of Uyghur culture. The following has been edited for length and clarity.