The massacre of Uighur demonstrators in the cities of Urumqi and Kashgar has been reported in every language, from English to Chinese to Portuguese to Arabic. While the intense repression against Uighurs is normally ignored by both the Chinese Government and the international media, the deaths of hundreds of protesters and the injuries of hundreds more has exposed the brutality of Chinese government actions toward Uighurs in a way that cannot be ignored.
Instead of taking action to recognise the cause of Uighurs’ demonstrations, or to acknowledge that the problems in East Turkestan [known by the Chinese as Xinjiang] derive from the Chinese Government’s inability to resolve discontent, Chinese officials have resorted to blaming “outside forces”, including me and one of the organisations I lead, the World Uighur Congress. Just as Chinese officials placed the blame for widespread demonstrations in Tibet on the Dalai Lama, they claim that overseas Uighur organisations “instigated” the demonstrations in East Turkestan. I in no way organised or called for any demonstrations.
I condemn the violence that has been carried out against the Uighur people. I also condemn the violence some Uighur demonstrators have committed. I am absolutely opposed to all forms of violence, and believe it is only through dialogue and attempts at mutual understanding that we may achieve peace.
At this point, it is impossible to confirm the exact number of those killed and injured. The organisations I lead have received reports from witnesses inside East Turkestan that more than 400 Uighur demonstrators were killed in the regional capital of Urumqi.
On Sunday, July 5, students in Urumqi began marching in the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the recent killing of Uighur workers at a toy factory in Guangdong province, in southern China. According to Radio Free Asia interviews of Uighurs working at the factory, a mob of Chinese workers and gang members from the local area stormed into the dormitory housing Uighurs, beating them and hacking at them with machetes. The attack was carried out in response to an unsubstantiated rumour that Uighur workers had sexually assaulted two Chinese workers.
According to the official Chinese media, two Uighurs were killed, but reports from Uighur factory workers who witnessed the mob attack say the number is much higher.
Had the top two government officials in East Turkestan taken steps to address the killings in Guangdong, together with local officials, the protest in Urumqi might never have happened. However, these officials were clearly not interested in investigating abuses against Uighurs, or in examining what caused the attack in Guangdong.
Uighur discontent over Chinese government policy started long before the killings in Guangdong. Under six decades of rule by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, Uighurs have been slowly suffocating from official policies aimed at eliminating our Turkic culture and mystical brand of Islam — much in the same way as official policies have destroyed the culture and customs of Tibetans. The killing and injuring of Uighur workers in Guangdong, and the lack of a transparent, just government response, was only the latest in a long line of abuses committed against Uighurs, though a particularly egregious one.
I have experienced first-hand the repression of Uighurs, through my own imprisonment and the imprisonment of two of my sons, Alim and Ablikim Abdureyim. Alim and Ablikim are currently serving lengthy prison sentences in Urumchi, in clear retaliation for my international human rights advocacy. There are reports that they have been tortured in prison, and that they have not been treated for serious medical ailments.
I was imprisoned from 1999 until 2005 for using my position as a delegate to a top Chinese governmental body to call upon the Chinese Government to change its policies toward Uighurs. Unfortunately, there is no place within Chinese officialdom for the expression of concern over ethnic policies. While in prison, I was subject to extended periods of solitary confinement and medical neglect. But far more horrifying were the times I was forced to witness torture of my fellow prisoners — those without an official government position, or the support of groups such as Amnesty International.
I am extremely lucky to have been given the opportunity to live a free life in the United States, beginning in 2005. Unfortunately, my fellow Uighurs left behind in East Turkestan face severe discrimination in the areas of healthcare and employment, as well as religious repression, forced abortion, and the removal of Uighur as a language in schools at all levels of instruction.
Uighur resentment at government policy has only intensified with the razing of an ancient centre for Uighur culture: the Old City of Kashgar. The Old City, which has served as a cradle of Uighur civilisation for centuries and which was an important stop on the Silk Road, is being reduced to rubble, and its population of 220,000 Uighurs is being forcibly moved to cinderblock apartments on the outskirts of the city. Uighurs were not given a voice in the project, and are being forced to watch in silence as their homes, and their history, are bulldozed away.
This crescendo of the destruction of Uighurs’ culture is what brought Uighurs to the streets. Though they must have known they would be subjected to extreme force, the Uighurs’ desperation seems to have outweighed their fear. Theirs was a desperate call to be heard, in the face of an authoritarian regime that crushes any dissent. Theirs was a call for freedom and justice.
Rubiya Kadeer’s book Dragon Fighter is published next week by Kales Press
Why oppress people so much when it only causes them to fight back even more? What a dumb comment from Cal of California! Lucky ur Chinese American - the US govt doesn't rule u by 'blood & iron'. If you love China and the govt so much, then live there & see if you can last.
NJ, London, UK
Excuse me, Rubiya. "the deaths of hundreds of protesters"? where is this figure from? Well, you don't believe Chinese government's report, neither do I. But should I believe your these some info from some uncertain source? come on, give me a break...
Yang, Melbourne,
Bloodthirsty Lier. I got many Uighurs friend when I was in colledge 18 years ago. I know some of them were unsatified for the goverment's policy. But none of them could accept these lies such as "face severe discrimination in the areas of healthcare and employment, as well as religious
Arnold, Kunming, China
people all over the world don‘t believe what was said by this woman!she is the evil!she is the terrorist!she is telling a great lie to the world!if there is not Chinese in Xinjiang,there maybe another Afgan.some people in UK,in other Country!Please Open your eyes! she is another Bin Laden !
shan, shanxi, China
So Rubia, You think we should support Islamic rioters in favour of forward looking modern Chinese? Where there is Islam, there is trouble..simple isn,t it? Have you learned nothing from recent history? Best of luck to the Chinese authorities here, D.Mac, S.E. Asia.
Derek McDonald, Saigon, Vietnam.
my apology to the Uighurs, I have been to Xin Jiang, love Uighurs, one most beautiful, kind and loving people. although I may not know what exactly happened, but Uygurs are no muslims nor terrorists. this troop thing all reminded me of 1989. you have my support for your wishes.
ashamed, Beijing, P.R.China
Blaming foreigners is the age old excuse to divert attention away from a regimes own failings. Hitler was an expert at that & in modern times the Iranian Supreme Leaders are doing the same. Now it is Chinese Government, due to failure of policies in East Turkestan & Greater Tibet. Mongolia is next
Colin , Carmarthen, United Kingdom
Cultural Imperialism by Han Chinese. It is amazing that with such a history, they fail to understand the value of old buildings and traditions. And as for muslim blamers - many Chinese provinces are peopled by majority Muslim Han Chinese. Religion has little to do with cultural oppression.
James, Belfast, UK
who wants to separat china ,no way .th separatists go away to The middle east. Who wants to split China, no way ,does not have the gate. The separatists rolls to the Middle East. the separatist element is few little start trouble Muslim, does not represent the Uygur nationality.
serf, an kang, China
Uighurs have been slowly suffocating from official policies aimed at eliminating our Turkic culture and mystical brand of Islam. Islamists dont like it when its THEIR culture being erroded do they!
dave, nottingham, england
China ultimately will have no future with this issue unless it opens its ears and eyes to the true grievances of the Uighurs. That's elementary. But sometimes in China, even the most elementary things become indisernable and impossible to see except in the most peripheral and subconscious of ways.
Dave, London, UK
Actually,chinese central govenment and soldiers have been there for 2000 years. You can google the ancient chinese maps made by Japanese to see whether chinese border is really only inside the wall. Uighur has never successfully build its own national country.
sam, Songjiang, CN
Good luck to the Uighur people in their efforts to maintain their cultural identity in the face of such systematic efforts by the CCP to destroy it. I'm glad that this situation finally has the world attention, and I hope that the Uighurs will soon enjoy the same world support as do the Tibetans.
Lisa, Shanghai,
China is China + I believe no countries in the world would like to be divided by separatists to instigate to subversion or likewise.
abbey, b'ham, UK
It is a little shocking to find out that some human lives might not matter depending of where people live or what religion they follow. But it is even more shocking to know that not only those people don't matter, it is actuallly "desible" that they cease to exist.
fe, Blumenau,
Ethnic groups in China should rebel against their two faced Chinese oppressors. It takes blood and sacrifice to achieve freedom and the Uighurs/Tibetans have proven that they are willing to give it all. I hope next time strategic targets like roads/rail and communications get taken out.
freedom, already dead,
I certainly far far far prefer the Chinese to the Uighurs. The world cannot afford more trouble from Muslims. I don't buy the writer's claim that Islam is like the peace-loving Buddhism of Tibet. No way. The Chinese are not fanatrics, thank God. They are tough and will handle this situation cool.
Ganpat Ram, London, UK
I certainly far prefer the Chinese to the Uighurs. The world cannot afford more Muslim trouble. The Chinese are not religious fanatics, thank God. They are very tough and will handle the situation coolly.
Ganpat Ram, London, UK
In view of muslim violence obtaining everywhere in the world today, maybe the Chinese are wise to keep their muslim population isolated.
Jerry, Seattle, us
the majority of Chinese Americans do not have ill wishes towards either China - our ancestors' home land or Chinese people -- our brothers and sisters by blood. China should and will rule these crazy uighurs thugs by "blood and iron". As a Chinese, I am really proud of the bloody blow Chinese gove
cal, california, us
An insightful look into the dark side of Chinese repression in your occupied country. The borders of 'Middle Kingdom' was defined long ago by the wall and your country lies outside of this. I stand with you, whilst word leaders live in fear of China. China should not swallow what it can not digest.
Dr Albert Schadefreude, London, United Kingdom
Please note the maximum number of characters is 300.
* Name
* Town
Country
* Required
Remember me
Terms and conditions Print Email var addthis_pub="articletol"; Also in Guest contributors Open letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Rupert Thorneloe's daughters, from the daughter of a murdered officer Tomorrow, do something unreasonable The G8 must do more to relieve the suffering of strangers Also in Columnists G8 powerless to aid the countries in need Writers can ignore an inconvenient truth, as long as they admit it Fiona McCade: Wardrobe to assemble? This is a job for a chimp Times Recommends Five golden rules for regulating banks Uighurs’ cry echoes round the world It is not just democracy that is illegal
OUR COLUMNISTS
Columnists
Select David Aaronovitch Anjana Ahuja Chris AyresJoan BakewellSimon BarnesCherie BlairCamilla CavendishJeremy ClarksonRobert CramptonDaniel FinkelsteinMichael GoveSimon JenkinsRachel JohnsonAnatole KaletskyIndia KnightDominic LawsonRod LiddleMagnus LinklaterBen MacIntyreBronwen MaddoxMinette MarrinCarol MidgleyAlice MilesCaitlin MoranRichard MorrisonMatthew ParrisMichael PortilloLibby PurvesWilliam Rees-MoggMelanie ReidPeter RiddellHugo RifkindSathnam SangheraGraham StewartAndrew SullivanRachel SylvesterJanice TurnerGuest contributors
Blogs
Select Alpha Mummy Archive Blog David Aaronovitch Asia Exile Baby Barista Blockbuster Buzz Gerard Baker Charles Bremner Big Brother Mary Beard Comment Central Consumer Central Cricket Blog Eco Worrier Faith Central Fashion Formula One Ruth Gledhill Inside Iraq Ariel Leve India Knight Money Rafael Nadal News Blog William Rees-Mogg Rugby Sinofile Mick Smith Sports Commentary Irwin Stelzer Peter Stothard Surf Nation Technology Travel Urban dirt Video Wimbledon
Camilla Cavendish wins award for family justice campaign
Columns urging greater openness in family courts win Paul Foot Award
Cartoon More cartoons Peter Stothard
The Editor of the TLS writes on books, people and politics
A Don's Life
Mary Beard of Cambridge and the TLS on culture ancient and modern
Love America? No we can't... yet
A new poll shows that Obama is popular, but the US is not
Comment Central Award-winning Iraq coverage from Deborah Haynes
A series on the plight of Iraqi interpreters took the Tony Bevins Prize for investigative journalism
MOST READ MOST COMMENTED MOST CURIOUS Most Read Skip Most Read Today 101 uses for a man 'Honeytrap' girl Samantha Joseph convicted... G8 leaders claim historic breakthrough on... Michael Jackson's family may await return of... MOST COMMENTED Skip Editor's Pick Today G8 leaders claim historic breakthrough on... 101 uses for a man Chinese troops flood into riot city as Hu... Kick the children out: it’s their only... MOST CURIOUS Skip Most Curious Today 101 uses for a man Floundering budgie rescued swimming off... Google Chrome OS poses major challenge to... Rapamycin extends life in mice, raising... Focus Zone Northern Lights:
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Business Solutions:
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Need to Know:
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Business Wisdom:
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
Social Entrepreneurs:
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Business Travel:
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Great British Summer :
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a �5000 holiday
Corsica Travel:
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
More reports:
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Northern Lights Business Solutions Need to Know Business Wisdom Social Entrepreneurs Business Travel Great British Summer Corsica Travel More reports Births, deaths, marriages
Place your announcement
Simplify Digital Save a bundle
Deals on digital TV, broadband & phone
Announcements
Search The Times Births, Marriages & Deaths
Free CV Review
Sell yourself! Have your CV reviewed by experts
Online Sudoku with daily prizes Free credit report
Online credit history with CreditExpert from Experian
Popular Searches on Times Online bollywood news | britain's got talent | chess | dating | fashion | Michael Jackson | mortgages | movie trailers | music | podcasts | recipes | redundancy | savings | slumdog millionaire | star trek | sudoku | twilight | university guide | wine
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
Classifieds Cars Jobs Property Travel Cars Skip Cars of the Week Car leasing
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
New Audi A5 Coupe from £399.99 inc VAT
2009 per month on 36-month Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
BMW 6 Series Convertible 650i Sport 2dr Auto
2008 42850
Great car insurance deals online
Car Insurance
Search for more cars and bikes Jobs Skip Jobs of the Week Intelligence Analyst
£24,250 - £30,346 MI5 London
Finance & Corporate Services Manager
£60,000 The Environment Agency Bristol
Programme Manager
Up to £90K Boots Midlands
Sales Professionals
OTE £85k Credit Protection Association Nationwide Opportunities
Search more Jobs Properties Looking to Buy? Looking to Sell? Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward
Completely London
Rushmore Condo's
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
Diadem Homes
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Times Online Property Search
Nationwide
Search for more properties Holidays Skip Travel of the Week Virgin Atlantic 2009 Cruise Deals
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Amazing Cruise Deals With Virgin Holidays Cruises
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 * Moscow break from £499 pp inc flights
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
Canada for Less.. fly from £129 one way inc taxes
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Search for more holidays Place your advert now
Search Ad Reference:
Where am I?
Home Comment Columnists Guest contributors Contact us Back to top NewsCommentBusinessMoneySportLife & StyleTravelDrivingArts & EntsArchive Times Online Times Archive Google
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Read Full Article »
