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
In recognition of his outstanding service, poet Abdughopur Qutluqov’s proposal to honor Kaiser Ozhun with the title of “Honorary President” was passed by 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
www.uyghurpen.org/uyghur-pen-centers-election-held-in-almaty
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Media coverages 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