The Uyghur American Association (UAA) is concerned about the fate of more than 200 Uyghur refugees currently detained in Hat Yai, southern Thailand. UAA calls on the Thai government to ensure the safety of the refugees by not returning them to China and by allowing the group access to UNHCR officials in order to process asylum claims.
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) condemns the detention of AIDS activist Akbar Imin and calls for his immediate release.
The Uyghur American Association commends the U.S. State Department on the findings of its 2013 Annual Report of Human Rights Practices in China. The report is a damning indictment of the Chinese government’s human rights record not only towards the Uyghur people, but also people throughout China.
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) expresses alarm upon hearing that Uyghur economist, Ilham Tohti has been formally arrested and charged with “separatism.” UHRP believes the charge reflects not only a zero tolerance policy to Uyghur dissent, but also the growing intractability of China towards international criticism of its ethnic policies. UHRP challenges the Chinese government to present compelling evidence to prove its charges against Mr. Tohti and to respect its own laws.
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) issues a Chinese-language version of its report Rumors, Suspicion and Hysteria: Urumchi’s Han Residents Target Uyghurs in September 2009 Pinprick Attack Scare. The report details the events of late August and early September 2009 in which a series of alleged pinprick attacks shook the regional capital of East Turkestan, Urumchi.
The Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) expresses its concern for the condition of Ilham Tohti, who was arbitrarily detained by Beijing and Xinjiang police on January 15, 2014. UHRP calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately release Mr. Tohti and to return all personal property, including data, confiscated from Mr. Tohti during the raid on his home in Beijing. UHRP also commends the strong statements issued by the US State Department and European Union regarding Ilham Tohti’s arbitrary detention and asks officials from concerned governments to sustain pressure on China for Mr. Tohti’s unconditional release.
Alarmed by recent killings of Uyghurs in East Turkestan, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) will be coordinating protests around the world to demonstrate outside Chinese embassies and consulates. Taking place between 10 and 13 January 2014, the WUC seeks to draw attention to the Chinese government’s systematic human rights violations, especially extrajudicial killings, against Uyghurs in East Turkestan through such demonstrations, and calls upon all those wishing to show support to attend.
The short film Battle (above, with English subtitles) offers viewers a perspective of Uyghur life in major Chinese cities outside of Xinjiang. Having lived in Northwest China for extended periods, it was striking to see how evocative it is of life for Uyghurs outside of their homeland.
