Uyghur human rights activist and Campaign for Uyghurs Chairperson Rushan Abbas has been named the Women’s eNews Champion for Human Rights 2026, an honour she dedicated not to herself but to the Uyghur people and, in particular, to Uyghur women whose lives have been profoundly affected by repression in China’s Xinjiang region.

Accepting the award, Abbas described the recognition as a tribute to the courage, resilience and determination of Uyghur women who continue to struggle for freedom, justice and human dignity despite immense challenges. She said the honour belonged to those whose voices have been silenced and whose basic freedoms have been denied, emphasizing that the award shines a spotlight on a community that continues to face persecution and hardship.

In an emotional message, Abbas reflected on the plight of countless Uyghurs living under what she described as the oppressive policies of the Chinese Communist Party..