The Uyghur PEN Center held its official election on April 16, 2025, at the Mir Publishing House office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In addition to local members attending in person, participants from around the world joined the event online. A total of 24 members took part in the meeting.

The session was chaired by Alisher Khalilov, head of the Executive Committee of the Uyghur PEN Center. Former president and artist Kaiser Ozhun opened the event with a report detailing the founding history of the Uyghur PEN Center and highlighting the accomplishments achieved during his tenure.

Following this, Hamid Hamrayev, Secretary General of the Center and a respected writer, presented an overview of the work carried out during his term, as well as the Centre’s future plans and strategic vision.

Distinguished Uyghur poet Abdughopur Qutluqov then proposed re-electing Kaiser Ozhun as president. However, Ozhun respectfully declined, citing the organization’s bylaws, which prohibit a third presidential term.

The Board of the Uyghur PEN nominated Aziz Isa Elkun for the presidency. Elkun is a poet, writer, and academic based in the UK, and a former Secretary General of the Uyghur PEN Center. Elkun, who had travelled to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and was present at the Almaty meeting, accepted his nomination. In his address, he expressed gratitude for the Board’s trust and pledged to work tirelessly to promote Uyghur literature worldwide and defend freedom of expression for Uyghur writers and artists.

After deliberation, the official election was conducted. Aziz Isa Elkun was unanimously elected as president of the Uyghur PEN Center.

Subsequent elections for key leadership roles were also held. Alisher Khalilov was unanimously elected Secretary General, while Dr. Hakimjan Guliyev, a Doctor of Arts and acclaimed artist, was chosen as Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The new Executive Committee members of the Board include the following:
President: Aziz Isa Elkun
Secretary General: Alisher Khalilov
Chairman of the Executive Committee: Dr. Hakimjan Guliyev
Members: Hamid Hamrayev, Villiam Molotov, Ihsan Ismail, and Maryam Sultan

Poet Abdughopur Qutluqov proposed awarding the title of “Honorary President” to Kayser Ozgun in recognition of his contributions. The proposal sparked mixed reactions and debates among Uyghur PEN Center members but was ultimately approved by a majority vote.

In his concluding remarks, the newly elected President underscored the urgency of the Center’s mission, particularly in light of the ongoing political and social challenges facing the Uyghur people. He reaffirmed the Uyghur PEN Center’s commitment to promoting Uyghur literature and arts globally, preserving the Uyghur language and cultural heritage, and defending the rights of Uyghur writers and artists. He called on all members of the Uyghur PEN Center to work together in service of the Uyghur people’s interests during this extremely challenging time, with the support and guidance of International PEN, headquartered in London.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected leadership of the Uyghur PEN Center and wish them great success in their efforts to uplift and empower Uyghur writers and artists.

25 April 2025
Uyghur PEN Center




_________________________________________
Media coverage of the election in Kazakhstan:

News articles published by “Uygur Avazi” (The Voice of the Uyghurs) – Kazakhstan’s State News Paper on 29th April 2025: https://www.uyghurpen.org/Uygur_Avazi_01May2025.pdf

Video report by “Qazaqstan Uyghurliri”: https://youtu.be/l46ytsa3hPc?si=ANbFVUnupiljbtCh

 

Tags: , , ,