To whom it may concern,
What follows is public testimony data exported from the Xinjiang Victims Database (shahit.biz) on Sat, 02 Oct 2021 18:40:07 +0000.
A total of 104 victims with the following criteria is considered:
List: Camp to labor The vast majority of testimonies presented come with supplementary materials - video, audio, pictures, and documents - the links to which are included here and which also may be consulted by accessing the testimonies via the original interface at www.shahit.biz.
In compiling this information, all efforts have been made to faithfully and accurately convey that which has been put forth by the testifier. In many cases, the information was imported from public sources. In others, it was submitted to us directly by the testifier.
Despite our best efforts and most professional intentions, it is inevitable that some human error is nevertheless present. Many testimonies were inputted by non-native English speakers and still require proofreading. Finally, the majority of these testimonies have not gone through rigorous corroboration and as such should not be treated as fact. We hereby leave the way in which this data will be used to the reader's discretion.
Sincerely,
the shahit.biz team 12. Muyesser Muhemmed (米也赛·木合达木)
Chinese ID: 65300119861023??E? (Atush)
Basic info
Age: 33 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Kizilsu Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|6: Sedirjan Ayupov, a native of Kazakhstan and a local representative of the World Uyghur Congress. (husband)
Testimony 2|3|4: Sedirjan Ayupov, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (husband)
Testimony 5: Sedirjan Ayupov, as reported by vlast.kz. (husband)
About the victim
Muyesser Muhemmed is from Atush, Kizilsu. She met her husband, Sedirjan, in Egypt while she was studying there. They got married in 2006 and moved to Kazakhstan in 2007. Together, they have three children.
Chinese passport: G33778166
Victim's location
Believed to be in Atush.
When victim was detained
On August 20, 2016, she returned to her home city in Xinjiang with two of her children. It is unclear whether this trip was made to collect supporting documents needed for her citizenship application in Kazakhstan, or whether Muyesser was invited to China by local police, in order to "answer some questions" for her father's release from re-education camp.
It is also unclear what happened next. In some accounts, local authorities sent her to a re-education camp approximately three months after her arrival. Other accounts state that her passport was taken and she was placed under house arrest, before being sent to the camps on March 18, 2017.
During the first three months of re-education, she had a phone and was sometimes allowed to send pictures. She was noticeably less healthy. It is also likely that she had a forced abortion while in camp, as she was pregnant when returning to Xinjiang and lost this baby.
In May 2019, Muyesser was allegedly transferred to forced labor, but a commission review later decided that she needed "3 more years" to study, and she was returned to a camp in July 2019.
However, it appears that she was released in October 2019, though she never contacted her children and Sedirjan worries that she's become a different person.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Studying in Egypt over a decade earlier.
Victim's status
Muyesser appears to have been released from camp since October 2019, and is now working at a factory.
Sedirjan claims that Muyesser does not look like his wife anymore, and that she appears to have forgotten about her husband and the family.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Sedirjan was able to get in touch with his wife before she was taken to prison (during which time she warned him not to come to Xinjiang). On another occasion, he was able to find out through a nurse that Muyesser was in a hospital.
In August 2018, Sedirjan also went to the border at Khorgas and managed to call some relatives in Xinjiang from there. They informed him that most of Muyesser's relatives being taken, and warned him not to call anymore.
Additional information
Radio Free Asia coverage: https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/din/uyghurda-din-09262018143027.html https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/muyesser-muhemmet-07102019170634.html https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/lager-ayal-11062019135836.html
Coverage by Vlast': https://vlast.kz/obsshestvo/34638-isceznuvsaa-v-konclagere.html
According to Sedirdin, almost all of Muyesser's relatives have been taken away to camps as well. Her mother was sentenced to 19 years for going on the hajj.
Victims among relatives
Ilyasjan Muhemmed (6597)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTJKax_ftvY Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3eSBNmITec photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_2.jpeg photo in hospital (during camp): https://shahit.biz/supp/12_3.jpeg Chinese passport: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_4.jpeg victim's kids: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_5.jpeg photo with husband (young): https://shahit.biz/supp/12_6.jpg marriage certificate: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_7.jpg photos with family: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_8.jpg victim's photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_9.jpg photo with husband and son: https://shahit.biz/supp/12_10.jpeg photo after release (second from left): https://shahit.biz/supp/12_11.jpeg
Entry created: 2018-09-27 Last updated: 2020-01-18 Latest status update: 2019-12-13 96. Serik Qudaibergen (夏日克·胡达衣贝尔汗)
Chinese ID: 65422119710414181X (Dorbiljin)
Basic info
Age: 48 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: religion
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1|5|7|8|9|11: Aibota Serik, a student in Almaty and now Kazakhstan citizen. (daughter)
Testimony 2|6|10: Gulshar Qudaibergen, born in 1961, is a citizen of Kazakhstan. (sister)
Testimony 3|4: Amangul Toleu, born in 1989, is a Kazakhstan citizen. (niece)
Testimony 12*: Anonymous, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (friend of relative)
About the victim
Serik Qudaybergen (夏日克*胡达衣贝尔汗) is a Chinese citizen. Emigrated to Kazakhstan in 2012 and had a Kazakhstan’s Green Card. He was appointed as an Imam in Koksu countryside in accordance with the law. He has a relevant certificate as well.
Home address: Koksu（阔克苏) Countryside 000334, Kurti (二道桥) Village, Emin （额敏）County, Tacheng（塔城）Region, Xinjiang, China.
DOB: April 14, 1971. Chinese ID: 65422119710414181X.
Victim's location
Dorbiljin (Emin) County, Tarbagatai (Tacheng) Region, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
When victim was detained
February 2018 (but Aibota couldn’t reach him since New Year’s)
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear Victim's status
G. A. Bunin (Testimony 12): "At the end of December 2018, I was able to confirm through a source who knows the testifier that the victim has been released from camp and presumably transferred to house arrest."
Testimony 7: the testifier heard that her father has been released from camp and is now working as a guard in a village.
Testimony 9: on January 23, 2019, the testifier sent an invitation letter to her parents and a brother to move to Kazakhstan.
Testimony 10: released in January 2019.
Testimony 11: Aibota was able to contact her father through a voice call twice, last time on February 20, and her father told her she can only call once every month, video calls not allowed. He also asked Aibota to stop petitioning. This was about a week after the BBC story featuring Aibota came out.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
From her mother and brother. However, The testifier contacted her mother and brother in the first week of March 2018 for the last time and completely lost contact with them since. She has no idea about their whereabouts and how they really are.
Testimony 8: From her relatives in June 2018.
Additional information
An official invitation for the Oralman repatriation program, stamped by the Chinese consulate in Almaty, has been sent to the local Emin county police. During a phone call with her father, he informed Aibota that the family has received the letter, but Aibola doubts it, since they are not allowed to receive passports.
This story has also been reported on by the BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47157111
Victims among relatives
Qamargul Tilesh (2258), Esbol Serik (2259)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOBaF02MgJw Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-SP4bo_cuU Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-hAaO9tqv0 Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTaKdE1An7A Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_VmCqhQ4Tg Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwbFk9wAhc Testimony 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djcL7Txp1rs Testimony 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0r_sj0s5i4 Testimony 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avs2ueH5ThM Testimony 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Lujt6Jy5Y Testimony 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoqkDy9p_Mc Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/96_12.png
Entry created: 2018-10-15 Last updated: 2021-01-02 Latest status update: 2019-08-05 120. Erzhan Qurban (叶尔江·库尔帮)
Chinese ID: 654121197807014272 (Ghulja County)
Basic info
Age: 41 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: farmwork, herding
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|4|5|6|8: Mainur Medetbek, now a Kazakhstan citizen, born in 1976. (wife)
Testimony 3: Hanisa Erzhan, born in China in 2006, but now living in Kazakhstan. (daughter)
Testimony 7: Erzhan Qurban, as reported by Apple Daily. (the victim)
Testimony 9: Erzhan Qurban, as reported by Radio Télévision Suisse. (the victim)
Testimony 10: Erzhan Qurban, as reported by Die Zeit. (the victim)
Testimony 11: Erzhan Qurban, as reported by Associated Press. (the victim)
Testimony 12: Erzhan Qurban, as reported by Radio Azattyq. (the victim)
About the victim
Erzhan Qurban is a farmer who also used to do odd repair jobs for a living.
Address in China: Group No. 2, Paltiway Village, Mazar Township, Ghulja County, Xinjiang (新疆伊宁县麻扎乡帕勒特外村2组).
Chinese passport: G58818764. Kazakhstan green card: 026898659.
Victim's location
In Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
The majority of the testimonies from his wife, Mainur, say that he went back to China in November 2017 - to look after his elderly mother and to have his daughter, Shugulan, treated. His documents would be confiscated upon arrival (November 29, 2017), with Erzhan being sent to camp on February 6, 2018 (February 8 according to his eyewitness account to Die Zeit).
There are some conflicts in the testimonies regarding the dates, however, as one testimony says that he was sent to a camp on January 1, 2018, while another - from the victim's daughter - says April 2018 [this may simply be an error on the young daughter's part, however].
For reasons that are unclear, the dates differ drastically in the victim's account to the Apple Daily, where he is reported as returning to China in September 2016 and living with his mother under house arrest until being arrested in April 2017, being held for two weeks, and then released. He would later be arrested again and taken to the Yining County No. 3 Middle School and then later transferred to another, more "official", camp in September 2018. [Perhaps this is reporting error.]
According to both Mainur and Erzhan himself, he was released from the camp on November 3, 2018, before being sent to work at a factory on November 8 (in one testimony, Mainur gives November 12 as the date, however). According to Erzhan, he was threatened with being sent back to camp if he refused. He would then spend 53 days working in an assembly line at a factory in the Yining County Jiafang Clothing Industrial Park (新疆伊宁县家纺服装产业园), helping stitch clothes and earning only 300RMB in total. Once a week, he would be shuttled home and allowed to see his daughter. Speaking to Radio Azattyq, Erzhan says that the factory building was three stories high, with 75 people on the first floor ironing shirt sleeves. He and other workers were paid 97 dollars/month, he says [this may have been the nominal rate, not what they were actually given].
On January 20, 2019, he was returned his documents. He returned to Kazakhstan the next day.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Now back in Kazakhstan.
According to the Apple Daily, his health has deteriorated as a result of his stay in the camps, and he has lost his sexual potency. (Erzhan mentions that he believes something may have been put in the prisoners' rations.)
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Mainur learned about Erzhan's situation from relatives in Xinjiang, and later from Erzhan himself when he called her after being released from camp.
Erzhan's is an eyewitness account.
Additional information
Apple Daily coverage: https://uat-xinjiangcamps.appledaily.com/受害者/葉爾江/全文
Le Point coverage: https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/les-ouigours-parias-de-la-nouvelle-chine-12-10-2019-2340852_24.php AP coverage: https://apnews.com/4ab0b341a4ec4e648423f2ec47ea5c47
Radio Azattyq coverage: https://www.azattyk.org/a/china-ksinjan-work-human-rights/30488548.html
Erzhan was mentioned, albeit anonymously, in the AP News story about forced labor in Xinjiang (https://www.apnews.com/e7c9af9654fa43ad958b2dc54895d42e):
Mainur Medetbek’s husband did odd repair jobs before vanishing into a camp in February during a visit to China from their home in Kazakhstan. She has been able to glean a sense of his conditions from monitored exchanges with relatives and from the husband of a woman in the same camp. He works in an apparel factory and is allowed to leave and spend the night with relatives every other Saturday.
Though Medetbek is uncertain how much her husband makes, the woman in his camp earns 600 yuan (about $87) a month, less than half the local minimum wage and far less than what Medetbek’s husband used to earn.
“They say it’s a factory, but it’s an excuse for detention. They don’t have freedom, there’s no time for him to talk with me,” she said. “They say they found a job for him. I think it’s a concentration camp.”
Eyewitness account
[The following is a translation of the victim’s first-person account as reported by the German newspaper Die Zeit.]
They picked me up in a minibus on the evening of February 8, 2018.
The re-education camp was located in Yining County – close to the Chinese-Kazakh border – but I am not sure where exactly. It was already dark, and they put black plastic bags over our heads and handcuffs on our hands. There were five young men from my village with me in the minibus. We were taken to a building and, once inside, had the bags taken off our heads.
The room in which I’d have to stay for the next nine months was 5 meters by 5 meters and located on the third floor. There was a sign that said “No. 12” on the door. Our floor alone accommodated 260 men. In my room, there were twelve of us. Later, I heard that there had been more than 10000 men detained at our camp.
The toilet was a bucket by the window, and there was no running water. During the day, we’d sit in rows on our plastic chairs. The food was handed to us through an opening in the door. At seven in the morning, we had to sing the Chinese national anthem, after which we’d have three minutes for breakfast. Then we’d study Chinese until nine at night. Our teachers were either Kazakh or Uyghur.
There were four cameras in our room watching us, which ensured that we didn't talk to one another. Those who spoke despite this would be handcuffed and forced to stand by the wall. "You don't have the right to talk, because you are not humans," said the guards. "If you were humans, you wouldn't be here."
I am just an ordinary farmer and I have never broken the law. To this day, I don't know why I was in a camp. For the first two months, I thought of my wife, Mainur, and my three children. Some time later, I only thought about food.
After nine months, on November 3, 2018, I was released. They sent me to a factory that produced leather and fleece gloves, where I would work in an assembly line for 53 days, earning 300 yuan in total. In the meantime, my wife had applied for a Kazakhstan passport for herself and the children. In Almaty, she told the Kazakh government and human rights activists about my case.
On January 20, 2019, they returned my documents to me. One day later, I was able to leave China for Kazakhstan.
Source: https://www.zeit.de/2019/32/zwangslager-xinjiang-muslime-china-zeugen-menschenrechte
Victims among relatives
Shugulan Erzhan (1108)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMTzsQKGHVk Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCaJy3gSo3E Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otAeyfM5U0A Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j7_v2QiEbI Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVXn-JIfHQ Testimony 5: https://shahit.biz/supp/120_5.mp3 Kazakhstan ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/120_6.jpg Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/120_7.jpg marriage certificate: https://shahit.biz/supp/120_8.jpg photo (RTS): https://shahit.biz/supp/120_9.png
Entry created: 2018-10-17 Last updated: 2020-08-07 Latest status update: 2020-03-16 123. Razila Nural (热孜拉·努腊勒)
Chinese ID: 652325199312101829 (Qitai)
Basic info
Age: 26 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Changji Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"registration issues", phone/computer Health status: --- Profession: corporate work
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|11|14|15: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, born in 1968, is originally from Qitai County. She immigrated to Kazakhstan with her family in 2016. (mother)
Testimony 10*: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by Mehmet Volkan Kaşıkçı. (mother)
Testimony 12|13: Batima Nural, born in 1997, is now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (sister)
Testimony 16: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by Financial Times. (mother)
Testimony 17: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by New York Times. (mother)
Testimony 18: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by National Public Radio. (mother)
Testimony 19: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by Associated Press. (mother)
Testimony 20: Nurbaqyt Qaliasqar, as reported by Globe and Mail. (mother)
About the victim
Razila Nural studied at Karamay University and then worked for an advertising company in Urumqi.
Address: House No. 21, (Bahudi) Livestock Farm Village, Xibeiwan Municipality, Qitai County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (昌吉回族自治州奇台县西北湾镇牧场村21号).
Victim's location
Believed to be in Changji.
When victim was detained
Razila returned to China on June 13, 2017, to be detained on August 12 and taken to camp. On August 20, 2018, Razila's family heard that she had been released from the camp and sent to a textile factory to work for free [this is the Xinjiang Jiuxu Clothing LTD (新疆九旭服装有限公司)]. While working there, Razila injured her hands.
According to Mehmet Volkan Kasikci in late 2018:
"...I can update her status. Her family heard that she was 'released' from the camp in late August this year (sometime between August 20 and August 30), but then sent to a textile factory to work for free. As far as they know, the Kazakh No. 3 school in this region has been turned into a concentration camp, and a new textile factory was built near it. As far as I understand, although she was 'released' from the camp, she works at a factory near it, and probably still lives in the camp. Her family heard that she can only sleep 2-3 hours a day, and is 'heavily' injured at work, but they don't know any details."
She left the factory on December 23, 2018, soon after widespread media coverage of her case.
At that time, Razila's location was unclear, and she wasn't able to say where she was during a phone call, as there was a guard behind her.
A photo sent on December 28, 2018 suggested that Razila had changed since her detention: that she was thinner, with something about her face also different. The photo didn't appear to have been taken at a relative's house, and may have been taken at an office or police station.
On January 4, 2019, Razila contacted her mother to tell her that she was well. On January 8, 2018, Razila contacted her mother again through the local government, asking her not to believe “foreign propaganda” and to tell others that she was living well in China and had gone to the camp on her own will.
She was then assigned a job at the local administration office and, as of March 2019, was working there, neither able to go to Urumqi to continue with her previous job nor to go to Kazakhstan to see her family.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons have been reported:
1) In some of the earlier testimonies, her mother reported that she had been taken to learn Chinese, which she claimed was ridiculous since Razila spoke perfect Chinese (and had certificates to prove it). 2) She hadn't gone through the local registration procedures properly after visiting Kazakhstan in May 2017. 3) She had WhatsApp installed on her phone.
Victim's status
Local authorities aren't allowing Razila to go to Kazakhstan, despite the fact that her family there has sent her an invitation letter.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
It's not clear how Razila's mother learned of the initial detention.
Some of the post-release events she learned from Razila's friend (who, however, was afraid to say very much). She also spoke to Razila on the phone a few times, though these conversations appear to have been monitored and not fully genuine.
Additional information
Financial Times coverage: https://www.ft.com/content/eb2239aa-fc4f-11e8-aebf-99e208d3e521
New York Times coverage: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/16/world/asia/xinjiang-china-forced-labor-camps-uighurs.html
Associated Press coverage: https://www.apnews.com/99016849cddb4b99a048b863b52c28cb
Globe and Mail coverage: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-i-felt-like-a-slave-inside-chinas-complex-system-of-incarc eration/
National Public Radio mention: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/764153179/china-has-begun-moving-xinjiang-muslim-detainees-to-form al-prisons-relatives-say
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TARrVeGJ0jg Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB2R8zDHYRI Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfiDl6eHns0 Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLaRIiPtwJY Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Afd-Imw68 Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFdCOjujyYY Testimony 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmZxBttOMqg Testimony 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBC5XKtWupw Testimony 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqQkaG99Y5o Testimony 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-THZNmxKQ Testimony 13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ada6xaMAEaQ Testimony 14: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cRMxGZHdE Testimony 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZcA5uVmBdA photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/123_4.png diploma: https://shahit.biz/supp/123_5.png minority Mandarin certificate: https://shahit.biz/supp/123_6.png Testimony 11: https://shahit.biz/supp/123_9.mp3 Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/123_18.png
Entry created: 2018-10-17 Last updated: 2020-10-15 Latest status update: 2020-10-08 300. Dakei Zhunishan
Chinese ID: 65402119760515??O? (Ghulja County)
Basic info
Age: 42 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|4|5: Sara Zhyenbai, originally from China but residing in Kazakhstan since 2015. (wife)
Testimony 6: Dakei Zhunishan, originally from Yining County but now a resident of Kazakhstan. He is a survivor of the mass incarcerations in Xinjiang. (the victim)
Testimony 7: Sara Zhyenbai, as reported by Financial Times. (wife)
Testimony 8: Dakei Zhunishan, as reported by Globe and Mail. (the victim)
About the victim
Dakei Zhunishan is married and has three children.
Address in China: Qaragash/Samiuz Township, Ghulja County (伊宁县喀拉亚尕奇乡/萨木于孜乡). [Both Qaragash and Samiuz are townships, so it is not clear which the victim is from.]
Victim's location
Back in Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
From the victim's own account, he went to China in March 20, 2017, and would be taken in for 15 days of "education" in April 2017. Afterwards, he would live without documents until July 2017, then allowed to return to Kazakhstan for a month (with four people left as guarantors in Xinjiang).
He again went to China after a month as promised, this time having everything confiscated (including his ID) and having to remain under de facto house arrest for about 6 months. In February 2018, he was taken to a camp, but two months later would be transferred to a Party school, which was basically a camp but with better conditions. He'd be released on October 8, 2018, prior to being allowed to return to Kazakhstan on January 16, 2019. A Financial Times report that includes a comment from his wife mentions that he was transferred to a factory in October 2018.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Released and back in Kazakhstan.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Sara likely knows some of the details from the victim himself, since he was allowed to return to Kazakhstan at one point. According to the Financial Times, he was also allowed a 2-minute phone call with her in October to tell her that he was being transferred to a factory.
Dakei's testimony is an eyewitness account.
Additional information
His wife's testimony on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/338669169840118/permalink/677660639274301/
Financial Times coverage: https://www.ft.com/content/eb2239aa-fc4f-11e8-aebf-99e208d3e521
Mention in the Globe and Mail (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-i-felt-like-a-slave-inside-chinas-complex-system-of-incar ceration/):
Dakei Zhunishan, 43, also spent six months in a Party school, a place he described as “almost free.” Rooms were equipped with televisions, guards did not require permission to use the toilet and “relatives could come to visit whenever they wanted,” Mr. Zhunishan said. Detainees could not, however, exit the compound without authorization.
Eyewitness account
[The following is an abridged summary, based on the victim’s interview at the Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights organization in Almaty, Kazakhstan.]
Leaving his wife and three children in Kazakhstan, Dakei Zhunishan went to China to visit his mother on March 20, 2017.
On April 10, 2017, he was detained and “educated” for 15 days. He says that the rules were not very strict, and that they were allowed to converse and move around relatively freely. The study consisted of learning Mandarin and memorizing red songs. He “graduated” and obtained a diploma.
After being released, he was not returned his passport and instead had to make frequent visits to the police station as part of the process to get it back. It was only at the end of July 2017 that the authorities gave him permission to go to Kazakhstan for a month, but only with 4 guarantors – two relatives and two cadres – remaining behind in Xinjiang. He thus spent 27 days in Kazakhstan and then returned to China on August 30, 2017.
Upon arriving back in his hometown in Xinjiang, he had all of his documents – including his Chinese ID – confiscated, making it impossible to go anywhere. He would remain under this sort of town arrest for the coming 6 months, until being put into a “re-education” camp in February 2018.
This camp was in the building of the former No. 3 Middle School in Yining County, with the rooms having barred windows and 16 inmates per room. Because of overcrowding, 10 would sleep in the beds and the rest would have to sleep on the floor. Dakei was the only Kazakh in his room – 9 of the others were Hui and 6 were Uyghur.
Breakfast in the camp consisted of porridge and a steamed bun. There was no standard toilet in the room – a bucket was used, which they were only allowed to empty once a day. According to Dakei, complaining that the bucket was full and asking to have it emptied resulted in being put into a tiger chair for 14 hours. There were four cameras in the room.
Though the inmates were originally told that they were there to learn Chinese, the classroom would not be ready until April (two months after the initial internment). However, Dakei was told that he was being transferred to another camp not long before he was scheduled to attend his first Chinese class. Fortunately, this new camp was actually a Party school (党校), which also served as a study center for 200 cadres and 27 non-cadres, the latter all being inmates with links to Kazakhstan. The authorities explained this preferential treatment as stemming from China-Kazakhstan friendship. Six of the 27 were Uyghurs with family in Kazakhstan, while the rest were Kazakh.
There, the rooms had TV sets, showers, bathrooms, and phones, and the inmates were completely free apart from not being allowed outside the compound. There was a hospital in the compound as well. Contact with outside China was forbidden, and despite Dakei writing several letters requesting permission to contact his wife in Kazakhstan, he was always refused.
Around April 11 or 12, the cadres came and asked everyone if anyone wanted to go to Kazakhstan. The inmates were given 5 minutes to decide. Amazingly, only Dakei said that he did, while everyone else said “no”. Dakei insisted, and after two days would start being invited to “talks“ (谈话). These went on for a week but didn’t result in any progress, and he would ultimately only be released on October 7, 2018.
Back in Xinjiang society with his documents still confiscated, he would be allowed to make international phone calls with the permission of the village administration. However, there would always be people accompanying him while he called his wife, with one of the people taking notes. The phone calls lasted only 5 minutes.
He was finally able to get his documents and return to Kazakhstan on January 16, 2019.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AOQ2KaS_0Y
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUGasc7XXuo Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk8RnWkXmOo Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCAcoWkQw9o Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KERdahujEh0 Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AOQ2KaS_0Y Testimony 2: https://shahit.biz/supp/300_6.mp4
Entry created: 2018-11-01 Last updated: 2020-04-21 Latest status update: 2019-02-17 312. Bauyrzhan Amantai
Chinese ID: 65402619????????O? (Mongghulkure)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: student
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Tolganai Mahabat
Victim's relation to testifier cousin
About the victim
Bauyrzhan Amantaiuly, from Zhaosu County, was a second-year student at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
Victim's location
Qulzha (Yining) County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
When victim was detained
March 2018
Likely (or given) reason for detention unclear
Victim's status detained
[according to a source familiar with the case, as relayed to G. A. Bunin: the victim was in a camp and was released in early 2019, then given a job]
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? via WeChat
Additional information
Included in the list at https://qazaquni.kz/2018/04/25/83951.html.
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egY2TAx1y9o
Entry created: 2018-11-01 Last updated: 2019-06-17 Latest status update: 2019-06-17 453. Erbaqyt Otarbai
Chinese ID: 65432419????????O? (Kaba)
Basic info
Age: 35-55 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|phone/computer, "registration issues" Health status: has problems Profession: driver
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1: Amanzhan Seiit, a businessman from Tacheng City and a citizen of Kazakhstan since 2002. He is a survivor of the mass incarcerations in Xinjiang, having spent 2 months in a camp despite being a foreign citizen. (detained together)
Testimony 2*: Gene A. Bunin, independent scholar and curator of shahit.biz. (friend)
Testimony 3*: Erbaqyt Otarbai, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (the victim)
Testimony 4: Erbaqyt Otarbai, a truck driver and Kazakhstan citizen, who spent about 2 years in Xinjiang after returning there in 2017. He is a survivor of the mass incarcerations. (the victim)
Testimony 5*: Amanzhan Seiit, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (detained together)
Testimony 6: Erbaqyt Otarbai, as reported by The New Yorker. (the victim)
About the victim
Erbaqyt Otarbai is originally from Qaba County in Altay. He first came to Kazakhstan in 2009, prior to moving there in 2014, and obtaining citizenship in 2017. After being dismissed from a Chinese oil company in 2014, he started working as a businessman and a driver (driving taxis and trucks).
Victim's location
Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
He went to China on May 23, 2017, crossing the border at Qorghas and having his passport confiscated. He was originally told that he could have it back when he went back to Kazakhstan, but this turned out to not be the case when Erbaqyt asked for it a few days later. As a result, he found a truck-driving job in Xinjiang while he stayed at his parents' house. On August 16-17, 2017, he got a phone call telling him to come to the Koktogai police station. After a relatively short interrogation about his links to Kazakhstan, he was let go and started a delivery from Koktogai to Urumqi that evening. The next day, policemen who had been to Koktogai and followed him to Urumqi arrested him and took him to Tacheng City, where he would be interrogated at the Xincheng police station.
Following the interrogation, he was taken to the county hospital and underwent a series of tests, before being taken to a detention center, where he would spend over 3 months.
On November 22, 2017, he was transferred to a camp [the former rural home for the aged]. On January 2, 2018, he would be taken to a hospital and have his appendix removed, before being taken back to camp on January 17, 2018.
In mid-March 2018, he was interrogated by people from State Security and the Political and Legal Affairs Commission. On March 17, he and over 100 inmates were transferred to another camp, which Erbaqyt refers to as a "prison" [the facility on Horse Racetrack Road, which effectively resembles a typical detention center more than a camp/prison].
On April 17, 2018, he was taken for an interrogation, where he'd be asked if he had family in Kazakhstan (people with strong links to Kazakhstan were being released then). However, instead of being released, he would be transferred to yet another facility, which appears to have been another camp but essentially prison-like in appearance (Erbaqyt does not refer to it as a "camp").
On September 3, 2018, he was transferred to yet another prison-like facility, where he'd be held with many religious people (imams and others detained for religious reasons). In October 2018, they started to hold court hearings, with him being summoned and sentenced to 7 years in prison. However, instead of being sent to a real prison, he was transferred back to the original camp on November 23, 2018.
Here, they would be divided into vocational classes, with Erbaqyt opting for the clothes making course, as he thought it would be freer as they'd be in a factory [the factory was a recently constructed building in the southwestern corner of the compound]. On December 22-23, he was released from the camp altogether, with the local neighborhood administration having him live in its dormitory building while the procedures for him to return to Kazakhstan were being completed (his parents-in-law refused to take him in).
During the next half-year, he would live there and work as a cook for the work brigade next door, later taking a job as a driver, delivering noodles to various clients. He also worked for a few days as a truck driver.
In May 2019, he obtained permission to visit his parents in Altay, but after spending one day there would be told that he could now return to Kazakhstan. On May 23, he finally left China.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
In the trial that took place while he was in extrajudicial detention, he was sentenced to 7 years for using WhatsApp (as indicated by IJOP).
During the initial arrest, a police officer also told him that there was some problem with his household registration. Victim's status
Released and back in Kazakhstan, where he is undergoing treatment for certain health issues.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Amanzhan was cellmates with Erbaqyt for a brief period of time, and knows about him from there.
Erbaqyt's is an eyewitness account.
Additional information
Mention in the Prospect: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/big-brother-vs-chinas-uighurs
New Yorker feature: https://www.newyorker.com/news/a-reporter-at-large/china-xinjiang-prison-state-uighur-detention-camp s-prisoner-testimony
Eyewitness account
[The following is an adapted first-person account, based on the victim’s interview at the Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights organization in Almaty, Kazakhstan.]
In the beginning, I thought I might keep silent. However, after thinking about how they’ve destroyed my family, I decided to speak up.
I'm from Qaba County in the Altay region and my wife is from Tarbagatai. We got married in 2009, and I also moved my household registration from Altay to Tarbagatai that year, buying a house there. In 2011, we divorced because of some problems with her family. For the sake of our children, we got remarried in 2013.
At the time, I was travelling back and forth between the two countries, working for a Chinese oil company. My salary was over 270000 tenge and the job wasn't that hard, but the locals got only 40000-80000, depending on the kind of work. Seeing this, I pointed out that it was unfair and was dismissed. That was in November 2014. Then I started doing various odd jobs – things like driving a taxi and petty trading.
In May 2017, my father got sick. I had applied for Kazakhstan citizenship at the end of 2016, and by January 2017 it was ready – the only thing I had left to do was sign some paper. However, I wanted to go back to China to see my father first. When I crossed the Korgas border on May 23, 2017, two Kazakh guys – one of them was named Zharqyn – came and asked me to hand in my Chinese passport and my Kazakhstan green card. When I told them that I wasn’t planning to stay long, they told me that I could fill out an application form and get the documents back when it came time to return to Kazakhstan. They also asked why I was crossing at Korgas, after seeing my passport and seeing that I had crossed at the Bakhty border before.
I then went to Urumqi so as to fly to Altai and get there quicker. There (in Urumqi), the police checked my documents and my mobile phone.
After visiting my father, I called the police again and asked for my passport back. They told me that I could come to the local police office to pick it up. When I got there, however, they said that I could not get my passport back just then, even after my explaining to them that my house was in Kazakhstan and that I didn't have a house in China. So, I went back to my father's house in Altai the next morning, and ended up taking a job as a truck driver for an ore mining company.
On August 17, I got a phone call telling me to come to the police station in Koktogai. When I got there, they took away my phone, after which an Uyghur guy came in and starting speaking to me in Chinese. It was an underground room with the walls made of some soft material. There was a tiger chair in the room. They started interrogating me. One of the interrogators was Han and one was Uyghur.
The first question was why I had gone to Kazakhstan. They also asked if I prayed. I told them that I wasn't a devout Muslim, as I drank and used profanity from time to time. The whole thing lasted about an hour, after which they said that I could go. When I asked for my phone back, they said that they couldn’t return it to me that day, and would contact me the day after.
I then returned to the truck area and started the trip I was supposed to make. It was around ten in the evening, and there were two other trucks. When we were about 20 kilometers from Urumqi City, my truck got a flat tire and we pulled over. While we were changing the tire, a car stopped by, with the person inside telling me that I needed to wait at the yard where the ore was unloaded. When it was my turn to unload the cargo, the guard there told me that a few policemen were looking for me.
They asked me why I had a household registration both in Buryltogai (Altai) and in Tarbagatai. I told them that my hukou had been in Buryltogai before I moved to Tarbagatai. They asked me to file an application to have my Buryltogai registration cancelled, and asked that I come with them. When I said that my phone was still in Koktogai, they told me that they had brought it with them – they had visited Koktogai and then went to Urumqi to look for me.
They took me to Tacheng City, and we got to the New City police station (新城派出所) at around midnight. There was a tiger chair in the room there, too, and this time I’d be seated in it, with my ankles and wrists shackled. A Kazakh guy there told me that, since there were cameras inside, I couldn’t really ask him whatever I wanted to. Then they started the interrogation, saying that I had installed WhatsApp on my phone. I explained that it was normal to have that in Kazakhstan and that it didn't work in China anyway. They then asked if I had visited other countries and with whom I had been in contact while in Kazakhstan.
After this, I was handcuffed, shackled, and hooded and taken to the Tarbagatai Regional People's Hospital. It was about two in the morning then. I was taken to a room and had a check-up, which required my going to a number of other rooms. Being hooded, I couldn't see the places I was taken to. From there, I’d be taken back to the police station, where they told me that I would be taken to a prison. They took my blood sample before transferring me.
When we got to the prison [pre-trial detention center], the armed staff member there said that they couldn’t just receive everyone and that they only took criminals – the two sides then had a quarrel. The Kazakh guy asked me to wait outside while they discussed – I would hear them mention the “political and legal affairs commission” (政法委) and the “national security team” (国保队). Afterwards, they brought me inside.
One of the staff at the prison was a Kyrgyz guy. He asked me if I knew where I was, then said that it was a prison and hit me over the head with a (metal) stick, leading to bleeding and, later, a scar. As my face was covered in blood, they shackled me with 7-kilo fetters. The people in the cell were real criminals of different ethnic groups – Han Chinese, Uyghur, Hui, and a Kazakh. A cruel Han criminal, the “boss”, asked me some questions. Later, the Kyrgyz guy would take me to the washroom and ask me to wash off my blood stains. A prison doctor sprinkled some powder on the injuries I had suffered. Then, they gave me a steamed bun and fried carrots and transferred me to Cell No. 12 (the one before was No. 15).
Here, there were Uyghurs, Hui, and Kazakhs. Some were shackled – mainly the Hui but also a few Uyghurs. One Uyghur guy, Dilshat, had been imprisoned years earlier for taking drugs, and now found himself here anew. Another Uyghur guy was there for buying a ticket to Turkey. A Kazakh was imprisoned for studying in Kazakhstan. When they heard that I was there for using WhatsApp, they told me that I wouldn’t be released. At that point, I was still thinking that they wouldn’t hold me any longer than three days.
We were given carrot leaves, potato peels, and other grassy stuff as our meals, together with a steamed bun that was only half cooked. I refused to eat it. They saw this through the camera and were ready to punish all of us, but I told them that it was just me who refused.
The next day, I was summoned to an interrogation room. My passport, green card, phone, wallet, and bank card were on the table, and they asked me if they were mine. They asked for the password to the phone. I pleaded with them to let me wire some money to my wife's account through WeChat and they let me. When I asked about when I would be released, they said that they didn’t know.
At one point, I was so hungry that, at around four in the morning, I shouted and asked for bread, which resulted in the guard calling some other guards and me being beaten with an artificial-leather stick. Those guys were Kazakh. They said that Ma [a guard’s surname] would come soon and I’d be beaten up. I told them I was hungry. One of them, a guy named Zhalyn, said that I should be more submissive. Again I’d be in the washroom, with them using their electric prods to hit the water as I was washing my face, which resulted in me getting electrocuted and being taken back to the cell. The guys in the cell also told me that I should be more submissive and just always say "yes", or I’d end up hurting myself.
On November 22, 2017, after I had spent 98 days there, they told us during lunchtime that we would have our lunch at a re-education camp. There were 21 of us – Kazakhs and a few Uyghurs. They called our names and we lined up in the hall. We were hooded, handcuffed with our hands behind our backs, and fettered. There were two auxiliary police officers (协警) holding each of us, and you’d have two people put into each police minivan with four auxiliary police officers. One of them was a Kazakh guy whose name I forget (my memory is not good now, as I was given injections twice). He told me that the camp was better than the prison. At the prison, I had been wearing a yellow uniform, the blue uniforms intended for the real criminals.
At the camp, they took off our hoods and unlocked the fetters, then handed out spoons, dishes, and slippers, before bringing us T-shirts and pants. I was taken to Room No. 8 on the second floor. It was warm there, and there were four beds inside. After some time, two Kazakh guys came in, one eating a steamed bun and the other eating something pickled. I was given some steamed buns and some food. I had weighed 97 kilos before being taken to that prison, but, as I learned from a medical exam, was down to 71 when I got to the camp.
For the first ten days, they’d turn the lights off at midnight, switching them on at around 6:30-7 in the morning, at which point you’d get up. Each day, we would study for 4 hours in the morning, 4 hours in the afternoon, and then do another 2 hours of review in the evening. We learned Chinese pinyin and how to count. Some of the people there were in their eighties, with the youngest being nineteen. Ninety percent of them were Kazakh and a few were Uyghur. I started having classes after about ten days of my arrival there. The women would sit in the middle row of the classroom, while the older male inmates would sit in the front, together with handicapped people who had problems with their hearing or sight, for example. At night, we had some opportunities for idle chatter, and so I’d learn what they were there for. Some had either visited or moved to Kazakhstan, while others had used WhatsApp, had used their ID cards to help their Kazakhstani clients get a Chinese SIM card, had visited mosques, had prayed, had their marriages officiated in a mosque… There was one Kazakh guy – he’s in Kazakhstan now and I don't want to say his name – who had ended up there for buying a house for his child in Kazakhstan. We couldn’t really look at each other when we talked. Instead, we’d talk while looking at our books.
They told us that the number of people at the “school” would increase, and that we would start [taking turns] guarding each other at night. They told us that there’d be a new wave of inmates – people who had done business in Kazakhstan or with Kazakhstan, in Turkey or with Turkey. They said that all Kazakhs in Tacheng City might be detained.
We were allowed to shower once a week – a hot shower – and the room was clean. However, starting from the end of November and beginning of December 2017, they would bring at least 20 people, all Kazakhs, to the facility each day. We started hearing that the neighboring rooms were being filled with people and, about six days later, they brought six new people to our room, which until then had been shared by four of us. They told us that we would have to share our beds or sleep on the floor. It was tile flooring, but warm since the heating was just underneath. As there were a lot of old people, I ended up sleeping under the bed. (Those old people are in Kazakhstan now.) We didn't have enough blankets and pillows, though. Later, they changed the beds to bunk beds, and I would sleep on the top bunk. They stopped switching the light off at night, and we started taking turns guarding each other.
At noon, we’d be given two hours to sleep, after which we’d have to make our beds like they do in the army: square-shaped. If you failed to do so, you would be punished. The food there was better than in the prison. Because 10 people would be staying in a room of 20 square meters, they had us get anti-flu shots.
There was one guy named Tursyn, who was sent to the camp for missing a Monday-morning flag raising ceremony. He was in his late forties. He died in the camp. It was said that he died of a heart problem, but I think that he was beaten to death.
In the prison [the detention center prior to the camp, likely], there was a woman who is in Kazakhstan now. She had to wear 3-kilo manacles. There was a woman named Anargul, who is in Kazakhstan now. We were in the same prison [unclear if he means the camp or the detention center]. Anargul Muhtarhan. She lives in Urzhar, East Kazakhstan. She was a Kazakhstan citizen when she was detained. We were in the same class.
There was another woman, Ainur, who was a Kazakhstan citizen as well.
Orynbek Koksebek, with whom I’d share a room, came in December (2017). He said that he had come to China to visit his hometown. He was a Kazakhstan citizen, and would say that he’d be out of there soon, on Monday, because he just needed to get one final stamp (on some document). I also thought he’d be released, being a Kazakhstan citizen, and so told him to get in touch with my family after he was and to tell them what was actually happening. He promised to do so.
They divided us into three different categories. I was put into “puban” (普班, “the standard class”). They gave us vests of three different colors – yellow for the lightest group, red for the strictest. The other one was sky blue. Let me return to the classroom. The old men and women sat in the front row. There were about 40 people in our class. Most of them were young – those who were educated, including some teachers. There were those who had worked for the government, even the deputy head of the county. They divided us into three levels – the highest, the middle, and the illiterate (文盲). Orynbek was in the illiterate class. There were bars that separated us from the teachers.
On January 1 (2018), I felt a pain on the right side of my stomach, told the teacher, and then went to the doctor on the second floor. There were Kazakh doctors in the camp. I explained to them how I felt, and they gave me pills. However, the next morning, on the way to the classroom, I felt a stabbing pain in that same area and collapsed. They dragged me into the classroom and called the doctor. A Han doctor came and asked me to leave the room, but I couldn't walk from the pain. He thought that I was faking it. I explained that no, it was real. Two auxiliary police officers then helped me. Again they’d give me some pills and take me back to my room. I wouldn't have any appetite for lunch that day.
In the evening, it started to hurt again, and I called the guard so that he could summon the doctor. One came, from the county-level hospital, and asked that I be taken to the hospital immediately. As I was walking down the stairs, I again started to feel unbearable pain. Later, in the hospital, they would tell me that my appendix had ruptured.
I was brought to the hospital by ambulance. Actually, when I was electrocuted and had water poured on me on October 12, 2017 [in the detention center], I remember being taken by ambulance also. When I came to (that time), I was already on my fourth infusion bottle, and would learn that I had been brought there in shackles. I just remembered this – that’s why I thought I’d mention it. Anyway, let me continue with the appendicitis thing.
In the hospital, they decided to do an operation immediately. I got an anesthetic, but it didn’t seem to work, and I could feel the pain. There was something like a mirror on the ceiling there, and I could actually see my internal organs while they were operating on me. I’d be there for five days. They were shocked upon seeing that my intestine had become so thin, and said that I wasn't eating well. I’d then be fed through a tube in my nose.
My sister, who was living in Shanghai, came to visit me. As it turned out, this was her fourth attempt to do so, and she had been refused all previous times. She then signed a document to get permission to look after me at the hospital. Cadres from the neighborhood administration would also take turns guarding me. All in all, my sister would end up staying with me for about ten days. I was in the hospital from January 2 to January 17, 2018.
A woman from the neighborhood administration was charged with taking me back to the camp. It was called the “Tacheng Prefecture Vocational Education Training Center” in Chinese (塔城地区职业教育培训中心). On our way, I was allowed to buy some candy and cookies, as we were taking a taxi to the camp, although these things wouldn't be allowed inside. The woman was actually surprised, saying that she didn't know it was so strict there.
After entering, I’d need to place my feet on this special footprint thing on the floor, standing on it while placing my hands on the analogous handprint things on the wall, while the authorities did a body search. Then they ordered to have me taken away (to my room). That’s when I said goodbye to the woman who had brought me over. I could feel that she was confused, not having really understood the kind of place that she was taking me to. I asked her to take those things (candy, cookies) with her. Without letting me finish, the guards took me to my room, and there I’d see Orynbek and the others. They told me that they had thought I was released. I then lay on the bed, while Orynbek massaged my arms and legs. Then, they would reshuffle us, and I’d be taken to another room. Here, I had Uyghur and Hui roommates.
Because I had undergone the operation, they would bring me soup with pieces of meat in it – really red meat. I didn’t feel comfortable having soup with meat while everyone else was eating vegetables and steamed buns. So, I asked for a bigger portion, intending to share it with the others. Although I was scolded by the auxiliary police for asking, they ultimately agreed to provide a big portion of soup every day.
After a while, we started to attend classes again and I was once more transferred to another room. That’s where I saw Amanzhan Seiit. There were 10 beds and 16 people, and Aman would sleep on the floor under the bed. He wasn’t the only one who slept on the floor. Luckily, they offered me a top bunk because of my operation. The guy who offered it was an Uyghur man named Away, who had been in the same prison [detention center] as I was before the camp. He told me that he had heard a lot about me and had wanted to meet me. He was the designated person in charge for that room.
At the beginning of March 2018, I was told that a few people from State Security and the Political and Legal Affairs Commission had come to question me. So I was handcuffed and taken to a room where two young people – a man and a woman, both ethnic minorities – were waiting for me. The woman was Kazakh. They ordered me to only answer their questions.
“When did you move to Kazakhstan?” the man asked.
“I first came to Kazakhstan in 2009,” I answered.
“When did you *move* to Kazakhstan?” the woman repeated.
“In 2014.”
Then they asked me where my wife and children were, if they had obtained Kazakh citizenship, and other things along that line. How could I know about those things when I wasn’t even allowed to contact them, I asked? To which the man warned me once more to just give exact answers to his questions.
Then two guards came in and were ordered to handcuff me, with the male interrogator telling me that my wife would be sent to camp as well. I said that there were certain questions I had the right to not answer. He said that I didn't have any such rights and that he was the law there.
The next day, they suddenly read out a list of names that had both me and Aman on it. We were given black bags that we put our belongings into, including the textbooks. Then our hands were handcuffed behind our backs and our legs were fettered, with each person’s leg chained to another’s. We were hooded and made to kneel, with the auxiliary police greatly outnumbering the detainees – two officers for every one of us. From what I was able to see, there were over ten police minivans and some buses. We were then transferred to another place. It was March 17. There were over a hundred people transferred.
It was really cold in the new place, as the construction had not been completed yet. There, there were only two classes. Arman Duman was there – he was our class head (学习委员). He had been living in Astana and was already a Kazakhstan citizen when they detained him. He’s back in Astana now. Arman and I were in the same class but not in the same room.
The room there housed 40 people, and the beds were triple-bunk, the oldest inmates sleeping on the bottom and the youngest on the very top. There were seven sets of bunk beds in total. The toilet was in the room and, since it was open, we could always smell the stink. There was a TV set, and we would watch Xi Jinping propaganda daily. We were given small plastic stools to sit on. Because there were only two classrooms, the classes there weren’t daily and we would take turns attending.
On April 12, we started hearing rumors that the Kazakhstan citizens would be released. That turned out to be true and they were. On April 17, they suddenly asked me if my family was in Kazakhstan, taking me to the room where we usually got water. We were afraid of being taken to that room because there weren’t any cameras there – that’s where the police would beat you.
Another Kazakh guy, Turdybek, whose wife and kids were living in Kazakhstan, was brought to that room as well. He had moved to Kazakhstan with his family after retirement, and would come back to China to sort out some land issues. A Han official who worked in the camp, Pan, asked him if he needed to go back to Kazakhstan. When Turdybek said yes, Pan slapped him and ordered the auxiliary police officers to take him away. Then it was my turn.
I was expecting the same, but instead he said that he had talked to my sister living in Shanghai when she visited me at the hospital, and asked me if my wife and children really were in Kazakhstan. I said yes, and then explained my situation. He let me return to my room, which woke up the people from their lunchtime nap.
After leaving our room (that day), I was ordered to stand facing the wall. Outside, a car arrived, and I was handcuffed and fettered, with both my hands and ankles chained. I counted the links – there were 7 for the (horizontal) chain linking my ankles and 11 for the (vertical) chain linking the handcuffs to the fetters. I was then transferred to another place, where the people with connections to Kazakhstan had all been gathered in the same room. I remember Erkin Qaidarbek and Erkin Qami, who had been living in Kazakhstan. I was in Cell No. 7. Later, I learned that Turdybek was also brought to that facility. There was also a young guy, 19 years old, named Ekibat. The classes we attended there were similar to the ones in the previous facility.
On September 3 (2018), Ekibat told me to look out the window – there were many cars driving into the compound. As we were watching them, my name was called and they gave me a black bag for all my things. I then went to the classroom to get my textbooks and saw Turdybek. Ultimately, about 80 of us were being taken to prison [still a detention center, most likely]. After having been transferred to and from so many places, I was now being taken to the No. 10 prison cell.
That room was full of people who had ended up there for such reasons as being imams, being religious, or having officiated marriages in a mosque. Later, around October (2018), they started to hold court hearings and to give out prison terms. I was called to a court hearing also. Inside, there were desks arranged in a U shape, with two representatives from the neighborhood administration and police station on the left, two representatives from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and from State Security in the middle, and with the court representatives on the right. The inmate, handcuffed, would sit on the stool in the middle. And then the process began.
They started by turning on the camera. Then, the neighborhood-administration representative stood up and said: “Erbaqyt Otarbai is from the such-and-such neighborhood and, according to the IJOP platform (一体化系统), has been confirmed to have used WhatsApp, and is thus given a 7-year sentence.” After that, a person sitting in the middle section said that, thanks to the Party, the punishment given was a relatively light one, and then asked me to sign a document. I signed without even looking at what I was signing. They even asked me to have a look, but I just told them it was pointless (“看了有撒用？”). Then, the representative from the Political and Legal Affairs Commission stood up and read the verdict out loud, before informing me that one copy of the document would be sent to my family.
While being taken back to my room by two auxiliary police officers, I was suddenly called by one of the cadres, who told me that my family had come to see me. They had called my parents for the court hearing. My mom wasn’t wearing a headscarf – she told me that she wasn't allowed to. She was crying, and I calmed her down, saying that 7 years would pass as if they were 7 days. I told her to bring things like socks and clothes next time. Everything would continue without change, however, up until November 23.
On that day, all of the people in our room were taken back to the camp again. Again we were handcuffed and had black hoods put over our heads while they transferred us. This time, I would see major changes in the camp.
There were two new buildings – a three-story teaching building and a 4-story dormitory. The main gate was now at the back of the compound. The rooms were new, with eight people per room. The bunk beds, enough for the eight, were new too. However, the toilet was inside the room and open.
One of my roommates was a guy named Dauren. He had studied in Astana. Another guy's name was Ertis – he had travelled to Kazakhstan. An older guy, Erzhan, who might have been in his sixties, had been a teacher at a Party school. There was a Hui guy as well. Eight of us in total.
Again we’d have to take turns guarding each other in two-hour shifts every night. For sitting, they gave us small square-shaped plastic stools – red, blue, and yellow in color. There was a TV set that would play Xi Jinping's speeches. The food was really different this time around, as it wasn’t just the daily congee from before. Now there would sometimes be pilau (抓饭) and other better dishes. We were given (real) clothes. There wasn’t really any Hui there anymore – the majority was Kazakh, with some Uyghurs.
At one point, a tall and skinny Han man introduced himself to us, saying that he was our teacher and telling us to listen to him carefully, so that he wouldn’t have to repeat himself. He then said that they had started six different training courses: in bread baking, pastry making, hairdressing, electrode welding, clothes making, and singing and dancing. We would have to sing Communist songs too, which is something I was quite good at. I applied for the clothes making ones since I figured that it’d be freer there, as it was in a factory.
We were divided into these training classes at the end of November 2018. In my class, there were many women, and the maximum age was capped at 45 (all the classes had certain age restrictions). I couldn't count all of the equipment, but I think there were about 300 sewing machines, if I'm not mistaken. They were made in Japan and had been brought over from factories that had gone bankrupt. The hall we worked in was very big (about 100 meters by 200 meters), and had been erected really quickly, as evidenced by the metal structuring. The machines were arranged in four long rows. The materials we used were cheap ones.
There were two teachers, one young and one middle-aged. Both Han. They showed us how to sew, which for me was difficult as I was a truck driver and as the instructions on the machine were written in Japanese. One day, the teacher told us that journalists might come to visit soon, and that we needed to tell them that we had come there voluntarily. First, we sewed laces for pants and later were assigned to sew different components of pants for school uniforms.
Sometime later, we were again told that there’d be a “yanpan” (严判, “strict sentencing”). As I had already been given 7 years, that made me really scared. There were rumors that those who hadn’t been called to attend that court hearing for the “yanpan” would be taken to prison, and so I was worried, since I hadn’t been called to attend one.
One day, however, I was suddenly released, together with 11 other people. Among them was a guy whose nickname was “Ding Dan”. His real name was Lü Jian – he was an ethnic Russian and a Chinese citizen. His wife was a Kazakhstani, named Gulnar. There was also Qozharqan, who’s in East Kazakhstan now, and a guy named Erbol. We all had to write a pledge (保证书) that day, promising that we wouldn't disclose any information (about our experiences). They usually released 20 people a day, though on some days that number could get as high as 100.
It was on December 23, at 3 in the morning, that I was brought to the neighborhood administration for the neighborhood where I used to own an apartment. They took me to a room on the third floor. The head of the administration office showed me which bed to sleep in and told me that they’d bring me other necessities the following day. There weren’t any bars on the windows, and there wasn’t anyone caring when I went to the toilet or anything like that. There were two guards at the gate of the administration building. I couldn't believe that I had been freed. I couldn't sleep, thinking about it.
The next day, a Han woman named Wang Yixiang, who was in charge of several neighborhood-administration offices, had a meeting with us. I’d see many other Kazakhs who had been released there also. She said we needed to thank the Communist Party. She also mentioned that we would go back to Kazakhstan as that’s where our families were, but that it could take months to a year, and that we would be free during this time. In reality, however, a cadre from the neighborhood administration would (usually) accompany us.
On the same day, I learned from others that they were being allowed to stay at their relatives' homes in Tacheng. I then asked the deputy head of the neighborhood administration why I had to stay in the administration dormitory, to which she said that they had tried to convince my parents-in-law to take me in – trying some “ideological work” (思想工作) on them – but that my parents-in-law refused. She even showed me a video of them criticizing me for having violated the law. In the video, they said that I was a criminal who had deceived their daughter, making her leave her job and taking her to Kazakhstan.
So I would stay alone in that room. One room over was the work brigade (工作队), who would monitor around the clock all the cameras installed from the city to the border. My parents helped me financially during this time, sending money whenever I needed it. My phone had been delivered to my parents after I was first taken to prison [detention center], and my dad destroyed it soon after receiving it. And actually, the reason why I ultimately didn’t get a real 7-year prison term was because they couldn’t find that phone, in order to prove that I had sermons stored on there, as well as in my WhatsApp.
After my release, I wouldn’t be allowed to have a phone for the first three months. I also had to prepare food for the five people in the work brigade, as I was ordered to do so. In the beginning, I just helped the cook who was there, but later he left and the cook was now me. After three months, I told the neighborhood administration that I needed a job in order to support myself, and found one as a driver, delivering thin dried noodles (挂面) to different places.
I drove a minivan and the salary was supposed to be 3000RMB per month, though in the end I’d only get 1500RMB. They justified the cut by saying that what I collected from the clients was less than what I should have received, with the losses totaling 1500. Although, at the same time, they also found that it hadn't been my mistake – they just hadn’t considered that some clients had special discounts.
One day when I needed to enter a park, I learned that my ID card had been blacklisted, but the neighborhood-administration cadres would get it sorted out for me when I explained the issue. I had my status changed from “untrustworthy” (不放心人员) to “trustworthy” (放心人员). I quit the delivery job. Wanting to go to Kazakhstan, I went to the Bakhty border crossing, about 15 kilometers from Tacheng, having learned that there was a company importing sunflower seeds from Kazakhstan who needed a driver. So I went to meet the employer, whose nickname was “big-headed fish” (大头鱼), and he hired me for 6000RMB. I then got acquainted with a driver from Kazakhstan and asked if it was possible to sneak across the border in their truck. He told me that a Russian named Dima had tried something like that and had been found by border control – actually, that guy had been in the same prison as me.
I worked for a few days, got the pay, and quit, and then finally decided to go to Buryltogai – to my parents' house – after the neighborhood-administration cadres finally gave me permission. I flew there, with the help of my sister. After spending a night at the parents’, I got a phone call from the Tacheng neighborhood administration at lunchtime the next day. They asked me if I wanted to go back to Kazakhstan, saying that they had received the documents that would allow me to do so. I flew back to Tacheng, this time staying at my friend's house. I ended up staying for a few days – another stressful experience – with the neighborhood administration requiring me to stay at a hotel on the last day.
The next morning, I was brought to the border with Saltanat and Baqyt – elderly ladies who had also been in camp. They used to be teachers at the No. 2 middle school. After we crossed the border on the Kazakh side and were about to get on the bus there, the Han authorities again warned us not to say anything (about our experiences). As we entered Kazakhstan territory, we saw a crowd welcoming us with flowers. These were relatives of the other inmates.
After a stop at Urzhar, I finally went home. My son Nurtal didn’t recognize me. “Who’s this uncle who’s come to our house?” he asked my wife. I told him that I was his dad.
A human rights organization in Almaty is helping me with getting my health examined now. The doctors said that they found microbes in my blood.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGrvnnp3SDc
Supplementary materials
Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGrvnnp3SDc New Yorker 3D rendition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGUyo5dxke8 Testimony 1: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https://www.facebook.com/100012011741023/videos /442893772787677/&show_text=1&width=450 back in Kazakhstan: https://shahit.biz/supp/453_2.jpeg
Entry created: 2018-11-12 Last updated: 2021-04-30 Latest status update: 2021-02-26 740. Sajidigul Tomur
Chinese ID: 65212319????????E? (Toksun)
Basic info
Age: 35-55 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Turpan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: deceased Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Halmurat Uyghur, a Finland-based activist, originally from Turpan but now a citizen of Finland. (nephew)
Testimony 2: Halmurat Uyghur, as reported by Voice of America. (nephew)
About the victim
Sajidigul Tomur. She was working in a forced labour cotton plant 托克逊夏乡棉花加工厂, which is located Chengxi Street, Xia township, Toksun county, Turpan prefecture. She reportedly died in an 'accident at work'. After her death, local community management visited her family and offered compensation, however, no mention was made of the factory being held accountable for Sajidigul's death.
Testimony 2: The victim is reportedly 45 years old.
Victim's location
Toksun county, Turpan prefecture
When victim was detained
Testimony 2: The victim was detained in one or more concentration camps for an unspecified period of time prior to her forced work placement at the cotton processing factory in Turpan. The victim was released from her detention at a concentration camp and subsequently forced to work in a cotton processing factory in Turpan for minimum wage.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Deceased. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
[Presumably from sources in the region.]
Additional information
Phone number of the plant's manager Ekber Turaq (艾克拜尔·吐拉克): 09958856834.
Addresses of original Tweets by the testifier [currently unavailable as account has been suspended]: https://twitter.com/HalmuratU/status/1245600636206370818 https://twitter.com/HalmuratU/status/1246350078517948417
Likely listing of plant: https://archive.vn/j7UCp
Voice of America coverage (Testimony 2): https://www.voanews.com/extremism-watch/diaspora-uighurs-continue-online-activism-against-crackdo wn-xinjiang
Testimony 2: The victim's husband [name unspecified] was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Testimony 2: The victim is reportedly the fourth relative of Halmurat Harri Elsoy that has passed away since 2017.
Victims among relatives
Seyitniyaz Ghopur (1671), Goherhan Tomur (1672), Adil Abdurazaq (8086)
Entry created: 2020-06-09 Last updated: 2021-01-16 Latest status update: 2020-04-02 854. Memeteli Atawulla
Chinese ID: 65322119????????O? (Hotan County)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|4|5: Memettohti Atawulla, originally from Hotan, but living in Turkey since 2016. He recently completed a political-science master's program at the Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi. (brother)
About the victim
Memet'eli Atawulla is married and has two children.
Address: No. 1 Neighborhood, Urnush Village, Seghizkol Township, Hotan County, Hotan Prefecture.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Hotan.]
When victim was detained
Testimonies conflict with regard to the victim's initial detention, with one saying that he was detained in August 2017 and another July 2018. He was reportedly held at the Jiya concentration camp in Lop County during this time.
On one occasion, he was transferred to a hospital, with his mother, Beyshihan, being called to pay the hospital fee. Authorities initially prevented her from seeing her son in person, but a police officer would allow her to visit him for ten minutes later. The officer told her that she was "lucky" that her son was not in prison.
According to news received in April-May 2019, Memet'eli was released from the camp and sent to work at a factory in the village.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
For "political" reasons, according to his brother. Victim's status
Working at a factory. [He presumably still has some health problems.]
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
In May 2019, local police contacted Memet'eli's brother, Memettohti, via WeChat and allowed him to speak with some of his non-detained relatives. During these conversations, Memettohti was able to learn of his brother's status. (The local police also warned Memettohti to "not make noise" if he wanted to stay in contact with his family.)
Additional information
The testifier's piece published by the Uyghur Human Rights Project: http://chineseblog.uhrp.org/?p=437
The testifier's piece published by Uyghur Times: https://uighurtimes.com/index.php/china-stillnoinfo-campaign-is-not-a-rumor-i-am-just-a-student-where- is-my-mother/
Victims among relatives
Rozimemet Atawulla (853), Beyshihan Hoshur (856), Memettursun Islam (855), Memetabla Salamet (10992)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tui2R58dD38 Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR4ZkNFTu1c Testimony 2: https://twitter.com/Uyghur_0903/status/1094972277811277824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Entry created: 2018-11-25 Last updated: 2020-11-21 Latest status update: 2020-01-07 871. Nurimangul Tohti
Chinese ID: 652901198102012542 (Aksu)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): contact with outside world|--- Health status: --- Profession: tradesperson
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1|2|3*|4|5|6: Reyhangul Tohti, originally from Aksu but now living in Belgium. (sister)
Testimony 7: Muhlise Tohti, originally from Aksu but now residing in Turkey. (sister)
About the victim
Nurimangul Tohti is married and has two children. She is a tailor.
Address: House No. 7, Group No. 3, Ara Mehelle Village, Qaratal Municipality, Aksu City.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Aksu.]
When victim was detained
Nurimangul was detained on February 23, 2018. At some point, she was allegedly transferred to forced labor.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
For contacting relatives abroad and informing her sister of their brother's death.
Victim's status
Allegedly being subjected to forced and unpaid labor.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Nurimangul's sister Reyhangul got the news over the phone [unclear from whom]. It is not clear how Muhlise learned of the victim being transferred to forced labor.
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Tursun Qurban (867), Aytursun Qurban (865), Rozihaji Zunun (870), Yasinjan Tohti (866), Gulnur Tohti (4995), Abdullah Yasin (5077), Hebibulla Yasin (5078), Amine Yasin (5079), Teyibbe Yasin (5080), Sherinay Yasin (5076), Ehmetjan Ghoja (872), Patimem Ehmet (5081), Salihe Ehmet (5082), Sidiqhaji Zunun (1604), Mukerem Tursun (6505), Hebibulla Tursun (6506), Intizar Parhat (873)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XmNq5PMcA Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwjWCH7UOoc Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxhVmD2WB4Y Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcyv2pLA-c Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w51S3bkFLY8 Testimony 7: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https://www.facebook.com/muhammat.amat.3511/vi deos/935798663580643/&show_text=1&width=300 Testimony 3 (direct, Uyghur): https://shahit.biz/supp/871_3.png
Entry created: 2018-11-26 Last updated: 2020-11-21 Latest status update: 2020-09-15 1106. Oraz Daulet (奥拉孜·代吾来提)
Chinese ID: 652723197909222818 (Arishang)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Bortala Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1: Orazbek Alimbek, born on July 24, 1983, is a Kazakhstan citizen. His PIN is 830724000258.
Testimony 2: Dauletqyzy
Testimony 3-5: Zhan’ylhan Da’ulet, born on February 3, 1977, citizen of Kazakhstan.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1: relative
Testimony 2: unclear
Testimony 3-5: brother
About the victim
Oraz Dauletuly (奥拉孜*代吾来提).
Address: Bure West Road 46, Bure village (布热村) Zalymty township (扎勒木特乡), Wenquan county, Bortala Mongol autonomous prefecture [Testimony 5 gives the village as "First Village"]
DOB: September 22, 1979.
Victim's location
In Wenquan County, presumably.
When victim was detained
Went to see his daughter, who studies in Kazakhstan, but was detained at Alashankou border crossing in October 2017. Taken to a camp on October 23, 2017.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 4: attempting to visit Kazakhstan.
Victim's status
Testimony 2: Released on December 24, 2018.
Testimony 3: He seems to be sick.
Testimony 4: Released on December 24, 2018 and forcefully employed as a guard.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 3: Saw him/ talked to him on Wechat after his release.
Additional information
Testimony 3: At midnight on December 24, 2018, Chinese officials called Zhan’ylhan saying her brother had been released and required her to send her Kazakhstan’s ID card copy. She obliged. This happened on the same day she went to the Atajurt office.
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NKA4mpS1vU Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHS5DJGO0tk Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-GrqkoxUNw Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0a2dfCNu-U Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hDSCkZyNKs
Entry created: 2018-12-07 Last updated: 2018-12-07 Latest status update: 2019-02-08 1152. Qadyrbek Tampek (卡德尔白克·坦别克)
Chinese ID: 65422219690625501X (Wusu)
Basic info
Age: 51 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: farmwork, herding
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|5|6: Maulide Abdirahman, born in 1975, is now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (wife)
Testimony 4: Zhaqsybek Beisen, born in 1980, is a Kazakhstan citizen. (nephew)
Testimony 7: Qadyrbek Tampek, as reported by Buzzfeed News. (the victim)
About the victim
Ka’dirbek Ta’mpek (卡德尔白克*坦别克) is a livestock farmer from the Tacheng region.
Lives at No.16, First Husbandry Unit, Sarkat pasture (赛力克提牧场), Wusu municipality, Tacheng prefecture.
DOB: June 25, 1969. Chinese ID: 65422219690625501x. Chinese passport: E30545389. Kazakhstan Residence Permit IIN: 690625000447.
Victim's location
Testimony 7: in Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
Testimony 6: Documents confiscated by Chinese officials on his way back from Kazakhstan in August 2017. Then, he was sent to re-education camp on December 20, 2017, released on November 20, 2018 and employed forcefully as a security guard in Wusu.
Testimony 7: able to return to Kazakhstan eventually [presumably sometime in 2019].
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 7: During his initial interrogation before being taken to the concentration camp, the victim was given a full medical checkup (including blood and urine samples) and was asked whether or not he was a practicing Muslim, and whether or not he prayed. The victim responded that he "had faith" but "doesn't pray". Police officers later confiscated the victim's phone [presumably before sending him to the concentration camp].
Victim's status
Previously in detention. The testifier heard that her husband was released on November 20, 2018, although he never contacted her.
Testimony 3: Kadyrbek is allegedly in some sort of forced labor.
Testimony 4+6: Released on November 20, 2018 and is in forced labour now.
Testimony 7: back in Kazakhstan.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 7: this is an eyewitness account.
Additional information
With Meulinde, he has two children: daughter Guldana Kadyrbek (born in 2004) , son Eren Kadyrbek (born in 2010) His name is on a government subsidy list, which has him owning 12616 mu of land, for which he received a government development subsidy of 20,000 yuan: https://archive.vn/v3oK0
Buzzfeed coverage (Testimony 7): https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/alison_killing/china-ex-prisoners-horrors-xinjiang-camps-uighurs
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXfTsE4GUkk Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcmPzByt-TM Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe-Pv3-p-9Q Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beCuh_PNqyA Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlgTS6mO3QQ Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMr_ghsFekI Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1152_7.png
Entry created: 2018-12-09 Last updated: 2020-09-15 Latest status update: 2020-08-27 1173. Arafat Sakandar
Chinese ID: 653101199710040418 (Kashgar)
Basic info
Age: 22 Gender: M Ethnicity: other Likely current location: Kashgar Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, a member of the House of Lords.
Testimony 2: Sakandar Hayat, as reported by Los Angeles Times. (father)
About the victim name: Arafat Sakandar ethnicity: Uyghur gender: male date of birth: 04/10/1997 place of birth: Kashgar (喀什市) Chinese ID card no: 653101199710040418 Son of Sakandar Hayat, Pakistani citizen, passport no: BG6179922
Testimony 2: Arafat Iskender is the son of Aynur Ablikim (1141) and Sakandar Hayat. He has two younger sisters [names unknown]. At the time of his arrest in 2017, he was 19 years old and his two younger sisters were 7 and 12 years old. The two younger sisters were sent to an orphanage in Kashgar without the consent of Sakandar Hayat after Arafat Iskender and his mother, Aynur Ablikim (1141) were arrested and are presumed to be still at that orphanage.
Victim's location
Testimony 2: In Kashgar.
When victim was detained
Testimony 2:
Arafat Iskender was detained at around the time of Ramadan in 2017. Sakandar Hayat and Arafat Iskender had left China and crossed the border into Pakistan.
Three weeks after Sakandar Hayat and Arafat Iskender had entered Pakistan, they received a phone call originating from Xinjiang [unclear if phone call was received by Sakandar Hayat or Arafat Iskender]. It was through this phone call that they learnt that Aynur Ablikim (1141) had been detained. Sakandar Hayat and Arafat Iskender subsequently traveled back to the Pakistan-China border, where Chinese police were waiting for them. Chinese authorities arrested Arafat Iskender at the border, saying that Arafat Iskender would be "questioned on what he had done in Pakistan". At the time of the arrest, Chinese police told Sakandar Hayat that he would have his son (Arafat Iskender) back in one week, but Sakandar Hayat did not see Arafat Iskender until approximately two years later.
After Aynur Ablikim (1141) and Arafat Iskender had both been arrested, Sakandar Hayat was "denied a visa to enter China for two years". [This presumably means that he applied multiple times over the course of approximately two years and was denied every time.]
Sakandar Hayat reportedly pleaded with both Chinese and Pakistani officials for information pertaining to his family in Xinjiang [including Arafat Iskender] but received no response until 2019, when Chinese officials specified that Arafat Iskender was receiving "education" [i.e. Arafat Iskender had been sent to a concentration camp].
In July 2019, Sakandar Hayat was granted a visa to enter China and subsequently traveled to Kashgar. Chinese authorities would not allow Sakandar Hayat to stay at home, so he stayed in a hotel.
Arafat Iskender was released at an unspecified point in time [possibly around the same time as Aynur Ablikim (1141) in September 2019, but this is unclear] on the condition that he sign a two-year labour contract with a Chinese telecommunications company, for which he was promised a salary equating to approximately 250 USD per month. Despite the salary that had been promised to him, Arafat Iskender reportedly received less than 200 USD in some months, and in other months, on multiple occasions, was not paid at all. Arafat Iskender is reportedly only allowed to leave [his place of employment] for two days per week.
Sakandar Hayat has visited government officials in Kashgar and requested that Arafat Iskender be released from the work program, but has reportedly not yet received any response in relation to his request. Sakandar Hayat returned to Pakistan when his Chinese visa expired in December 2019 and is reportedly trying to acquire Pakistani passports for his children [including Arafat Iskender] such that they are able to leave China.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 2: [Unclear, but presumably related to travel and connections with Pakistan, as he was questioned about his time in the country.]
Victim's status
Testimony 2: The victim is currently being subjected to a forced work placement with a Chinese telecommunications company in an unspecified location.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 2: Sakandar Hayat witnessed the arrest of Arafat Iskender by Chinese authorities at the Pakistan-China border at around the time of Ramadan in 2017. It is unclear how Sakandar Hayat became aware of the forced work program, but it seems as though Sakandar Hayat was able to see Arafat Iskender when Sakandar Hayat visited China in 2019. Additional information
The letter from Lord Ahmed and the attached list of victims are available here (Testimony 1): shahit.biz/supp/list_002.pdf
LA Times coverage (Testimony 2): https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-09-25/china-pakistan-uighurs-xinjiang-silence
Victims among relatives
Aynur Ablikim (1141)
Entry created: 2018-12-09 Last updated: 2021-02-04 Latest status update: 2020-09-25 1225. Aitugan Turlan (艾托安·托尔兰)
Chinese ID: 654126197510251914 (Mongghulkure)
Basic info
Age: 45 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: unclear (hard) When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to religion Health status: --- Profession: government
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Kulan Turlan, born in 1977, is a Kazakhstan citizen. (sister)
Testimony 2|3|4|8|9: Aitalim Beisenbai, born in 1980, now resides in Kazakhstan. (cousin)
Testimony 5|6|10|11|12: Aqan Turlan, born in 1980, now resides in Kazakhstan. (brother)
Testimony 7: Sakem Bolpan, born in 1962, is now a resident of Kazakhstan. (uncle)
Testimony 13: Ershat Asanqadyr, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (from same town/region)
Testimony 14: Aitalim Beisenbai, as reported by National Public Radio. (cousin)
About the victim
Aitugan Turlan is a Chinese citizen from the 76th production corps in Mongolkure County. He worked in the Qarasu village government office and was responsible for the village's religious affairs from 2011 to March 2018. He's a graduate of Tarim University, and had worked for the government for a total of 18 years.
Residential address: 32 Liberation Road, Tasarna Village, Qarasu Township, Mongolkure County, Xinjiang (新疆昭苏县喀拉苏乡塔什尔那解放路32号).
Victim's location
[Presumably in Ili.]
When victim was detained
He was detained by police on March 5, 2018 at around 1 (not clear if afternoon or night), in front of his wife and child.
On October 10, 2018, he was transferred to another camp, where - according to what the testifier's heard - he's been [forced to work as] an instructor/teacher.
There are some reports that he may have been sentenced since.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
The testifiers have heard of a number of accusations against him, all of which essentially relate to his work in the religious affairs office.
According to one accusation, he had allocated more land than was required for the construction of a local mosque, adding 20 square meters above the quota. According to another accusation, he was guilty of having appointed an imam who would, at one point, officiate the marriage of a 16-year-old girl at a mosque.
Victim's status
He appears to still be in detention, though it's not clear what type exactly, as there have been some reports of him being sentenced to 2-3 years.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Not stated, though it is mentioned that Aitugan's father frequently relays messages through others, telling the testifiers to stop appealing.
Additional information
Mentioned in National Public Radio report: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/764153179/china-has-begun-moving-xinjiang-muslim-detainees-to-form al-prisons-relatives-say
Mentioned in Voices on Central Asia: https://voicesoncentralasia.org/between-hope-and-fear-stories-of-uyghur-and-kazakh-muslim-minorities-i n-the-xinjiang-province/
The phone number of the village administration office where the victim used to work: 869996238003.
On January 24, 2019, at 4:02 in the afternoon, Aitalim got a phone call from the Chinese consulate in Almaty, with the caller introducing himself as Erbolat and asking if Aitalim had appealed for his relatives. Aitalim was invited to come to the consulate, but refused, saying that they could answer his request through the Kazakhstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5V6tQxNoRI Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKZWnJq2q1I Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ld5WNBTVok Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Rh2bAC762I Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnkRDptGvSE Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COUFL9zUFDE Testimony 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdWA_cmZOMA Testimony 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjo3smtNal4 Testimony 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tnUuCynmRw Testimony 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSc0gkVfqyE Testimony 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIRMNwamGOE Testimony 12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAcqlyPHhQ4 Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1225_11.png relatives with victim's photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/1225_14.jpg
Entry created: 2018-12-11 Last updated: 2020-02-10 Latest status update: 2021-02-27 1251. Amantai Abyl
Chinese ID: 652722198102100914 (Jing)
Basic info
Age: 37 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1+2+3+4+6: Gainigul Aitqali, born on January 31, 1982.
Testimony 5: Tursyngazy Seithan
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1+2+3+4+6: The victim is the testifier's husband.
Testimony 5: unclear
About the victim
Amantai Abyl. Born in Külerten in Zhyn region of the Bortala prefecture on February 10, 1980. According to his wife, he was tricked by the Zhyn regional police - they told him that he had to return to China in order to register his "statement of purpose" (that is the literal translation of the Kazakh word for the document, used to enter Kazakhstan without a visa). On June 17, 2017, he arrived in the Zhyn region and his documents were taken. On October 15, 2017, he was taken to a concentration camp. After more than 5 months, his wife got a phone call from someone in China, and she was told that she could talk to her husband once every two weeks through that number. She says she recognized that her husband was losing his capacity to remember (he was asking his children's names, ages etc. - he has 4 children). On the second day of this month, he was allowed to see his father. He told his father that he was working at a textile factory, that his work was too difficult, and that he had very little time for rest, and earned 650 yuan per month.
It is not clear whether he was "released" from a camp and then sent to a factory. It's possible that the factories are within the camp facilities themselves. On December 9, 2018, his wife wanted to talk to him as was allowed by the rules, but found that the number was not in use anymore.
Victim's location
In Kazakhstan. When victim was detained
Started on June 17, 2017, when documents were confiscated. Sent to camp on October 15, 2017. Later sent to a textile factory, where he was employed for 650 yuan/month and could not be reached by phone by his wife.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear.
Victim's status
From past conversations, it appears he's having memory issues and is very fatigued.
On January 2, 2019, Turkish scholar Mehmet Volkan reported (in a private conversation) that he heard of the victim being released and allowed to return to Kazakhstan.
On January 8, Mehmet Volkan further confirmed that he has returned to Kazakhstan but must not talk about the situation in Xinjiang as he has guarantors there who will suffer if he does.
Testimony 6: He returned home to Kazakhstan in January 2019.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Through different phone conversations once every two weeks and through the victim's father (who was able to see the victim in person).
Additional information
His story has since been featured in the Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/eb2239aa-fc4f-11e8-aebf-99e208d3e521?fbclid=IwAR3kf2aZxiOqPw3lgyRQf1J k-t0WVWokt8GFdTSpN2wOTt_zZd0_WP3WV4c
The New York Times has also written about his case: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/16/world/asia/xinjiang-china-forced-labor-camps-uighurs.html
Victims among relatives
Quanyshbek Abyl (1261)
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzyuJUiz6d8 video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNGooAhQUeI video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjQiS_qGCsY video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpEEOf6JRY0 video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-BDUu2v9gA video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH-s_tXf8KU photo with wife: https://shahit.biz/supp/1251_1.png notarized Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1251_2.png KZ residence permit: https://shahit.biz/supp/1251_3.png marriage certificate: https://shahit.biz/supp/1251_4.png
Entry created: 2018-12-13 Last updated: 2018-12-13 Latest status update: 2019-01-19 1289. Nurbek Orazqan
Chinese ID: 65402319820918??O? (Korghas)
Basic info
Age: 38 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: sentenced (10 years) When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1*: Gulzat Orazqan, as reported by Mehmet Volkan Kaşıkçı. (sister)
Testimony 2|3|4|5: Gulzat Orazqan, born in 1979, is originally from the Bingtuan No. 64 Corps in Korgas, but has been residing in Kazakhstan since June 2017. (sister)
About the victim
Nurbek Orazqan (DOB: September 18, 1982).
Address: 21st lian, 64th Production Corps, Huocheng county.
Victim's location
Testimony 4: in Kuytun.
When victim was detained
Testimony 1: September 20, 2018 (taken to camp)
Testimony 2: September 1, 2018
Testimony 4: Nurbek was arrested in September 2018 and released in June 2019 (Testimony 5: May 2019). After three months, in September 2019, he was forcedly sent to work in a factory. He could have a video chat with his wife every once in two months. the last contact was in September 2020 when he wept to his wife saying that he cannot come back home and that he misses his children. After that, there was no contact. On 29 January 2021, his family got a notification that he could meet only his close relatives through video chat (that lasted 3 minutes) with his mother and brother. He only managed to say that he is in Quitun.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear. Victim's status
Testimony 4: possibly in some form of forced job placement following detention, but not completely clear.
Testimony 5: Victim's mother was able to have a video chat with the victim on January 29, 2021. The victim told his mother that he was in Kuitun and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 1-3: Learned from an acquaintance from Xinjiang on December 9, 2018.
Testimony 4: not stated [though possibly through the victim's wife].
Additional information
His wife, Sofiia Tolybaiqyzy (born in 1987) is forced to work at a new carpet factory in the 64th polk. Their 3-year-old daughter, Nurbanu Nurbek (September 24, 2015), has been taken from the grandmother and put into an orphanage in the same polk. Now, the grandma, Gülbanu Apen (1952), is living with her one-year-old grandson Nurtilek Nurbek (born in April 2017).
Victims among relatives
Sofiia Tolybai (1290), Nurbanu Nurbek (1291)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoZzZlf3lFE Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoSGMGsnI1Q Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx7c16W8PLA Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT1Wka4PH_g photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/1289_1.png
Entry created: 2018-12-14 Last updated: 2021-08-10 Latest status update: 2021-03-01 1396. Kunikei Zhanibek (古妮开·加尼别克)
Chinese ID: 65422319860805002X (Shawan)
Basic info
Age: 33 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2018 - Sep. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1|2|3|4: Aibota Zhanibek, born in 1984, now a Kazakhstan citizen. (sister)
Testimony 5*: Aibota Zhanibek, as reported by Mehmet Volkan Kaşıkçı. (sister)
Testimony 6*: Aibota Zhanibek, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (sister)
Testimony 7: Aibota Zhanibek, as reported by National Public Radio. (sister)
Testimony 8: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Kunikei Zhanibek is a graduate of Xinjiang University, where she studied English language and literature. She also speaks Arabic.
ID address: 61-211 West Tacheng Road, Shawan County, Xinjiang (新疆沙湾县塔城西路61-211号).
Chinese passport: G60454753.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Tacheng.]
When victim was detained
Kunikei was put in a camp around July-August 2018. She was released from the camp on December 25, 2018; however, she was sent to a factory not long afterwards, following a period of house arrest. Kunikei first worked at a carpet factory, then at a factory that produced airplane towels. She was later given an administrative job in her locality.
(Urumqi police records note that Kunikei's phone was checked on March 20, 2018, in the Shuimogou District and not far from the Liudaowan Pre-Trial Detention Center.) Likely (or given) reason for detention
Kunikei was detained for visiting Malaysia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan.
Victim's status
No longer in detention [but apparently still in some form of forced job placement].
She recently got married, but had to ask for state permission to do so.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Not stated, though Aibota has had some direct contact with her (both Kunikei and their father have been contacting Aibota recently to tell her to stop her video appeals).
Additional information
National Public Radio coverage: https://www.npr.org/2019/10/08/764153179/china-has-begun-moving-xinjiang-muslim-detainees-to-form al-prisons-relatives-say
Victims among relatives
Nurzada Zhumaqan (1395)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=welZPGQrayo Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yAaRXd7oWw Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNU4Xt54s7w Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAkMOYOuNBs Chinese passport: https://shahit.biz/supp/1396_5.png Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1396_6.png
Entry created: 2018-12-18 Last updated: 2021-06-22 Latest status update: 2019-10-08 1473. Damu Bolat
Chinese ID: 652722199610082139 (Jing)
Basic info
Age: 22 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Bortala Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-4: Musa Imamadiuly, born on April 8, 1985, is a Kazakhstan citizen. His ID number is 036456881.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-4: brother-in-law
About the victim
Damu Bolatuly, born on October 8, 1996, is a Chinese citizen. His ID number is 65272219961008213 [presumably 652722199610082139, if we assume that the last digit is missing].
Address: Ushbulak village (乌什布拉克村), Takia township (大河沿子镇), Zheng county, Boertala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Bortala.]
When victim was detained
October 13, 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention unclear
Victim's status
Testimony 4: released from camp on December 21, 2018 and forced to work at a factory since How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKUQVgHwI50 video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL-PMcm9UoI video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_5LHcMc8lc video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0si-8h7McPE
Entry created: 2018-12-21 Last updated: 2020-11-26 Latest status update: 2019-02-03 1684. Amanzhol Qisa (阿曼着里·黑沙)
Chinese ID: 650121198803152820 (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Urumqi Status: documents withheld When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: housemaker
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|5|6: Muhamet Qyzyrbek, born in 1982, is a Kazakhstan citizen. (husband)
Testimony 4: Aru Toktar, born in 1992, is a citizen of Kazakhstan. (relation unclear)
About the victim
Amanzhul Kisa (阿曼着里*黑沙), Kazakh. [add. info from testifier: she's a housewife who stayed at home and looked after the kids while her husband worked as a driver]
ID Address: 7-200 Dengcaogou village (灯草沟村), Banfanggou township (板房沟乡), Urumqi county.
Passport no. E26981151. Kazakhstan PIN: 880315000362.
Victim's location
Previously in a re-education camp in Daowan, Urumqi. Testimony 4 says she may have been transferred to a factory (likely in the Urumqi area as well).
When victim was detained
Went back to China from Kazakhstan on December 25, 2017, when her documents were confiscated. She was then sent to re-education camp on April 8, 2018.
[add. info from testifier: she was released in April 2019 and transferred to a clothes factory, before being released to house arrest at the end of June 2019, unable to return to Kazakhstan because her documents are still confiscated by the local police]
Testimony 6: she was put under house arrest for 90 days first before being put into a camp. She was taken to a factory on 6 April 2019 and worked for three months getting paid 800RMB each month and was taken home due to her health problems. Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Testimony 4: they (her relatives) heard that she is being forced to work in a factory now.
Testimony 6: out of factory after 3 months.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear
Additional information
She has three children with Muhamet, two of them were born in China, one in Kazakhstan, but all of them are living in Kazakhstan now.
New York Times mention: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/world/asia/china-xinjiang-muslims-labor.html
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwqd7PuGTrs Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbOoHYzHgM Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd_ynen9c_E Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44Zlg04gdAo Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCwWsKnnnKs Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUGOFPRITs4 Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1684_6.png Chinese passport: https://shahit.biz/supp/1684_7.png
Entry created: 2018-12-30 Last updated: 2021-04-12 Latest status update: 2019-12-30 1689. Qausar Kemenqan
Chinese ID: 654221199002090061 (Dorbiljin)
Basic info
Age: 30 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: sentenced (7 years) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): related to religion|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|5|6: Qabilhan Shariphan, born in 1988, is now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (cousin)
Testimony 4: Mamyrbek Orazhan, born in 1978, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. (uncle)
Testimony 7|8|10: Zhanat Zaken, born in 1986 in the Tarbagatai region. She is now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (sister-in-law)
Testimony 9: Kumishan Baban, born in 1984, is a citizen of Kazakhstan. (in-law)
Testimony 11: Orazhan Aitmuhambet, a citizen of Kazakhstan. (aunt-in-law)
About the victim
Kausar Gemanqan, lives in Emin county, Tacheng prefecture. Has a Kazakhstan Residence Permit. Sister of victim Baglan Kemanqan, wife of victim Arystanbek Za’ken.
DOB: February 9, 1990.
Testimony 9: Address: 57, Urumqi pasture, Emin county.
Victim's location
Unknown
When victim was detained earlier: Arrested on May 6, 2018
Testimony 7: August 2018
Testimony 8: September 2018 Testimony 9: She was detained in July 2018 for receiving religious education abroad. (Her child was 2 years old when she was detained.)
Testimony 10: detained around August 2018. The testifier learned from her relatives on September 26, 2020 that she was given 7 and half years of prison term.
Testimony 11: Detained approximately in July-August 2018 from her house.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 9: receiving religious education abroad.
Victim's status
Testimony 6: Transferred to a forced labour camp. (presumably in January/February 2019)
Testimony 9: sentenced to 7 years in prison.
Testimony 10: Her son, Nurali Arystan (4 years old), couldn't recognize his mom when he was once allowed to meet her in prison.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Bagdangul Kemenqan (1688), Aizada Qalysbek (8084), Arystanbek Zaken (2694), Zhezira Shariphan (1687), Qyzyrbek Asilbek (1686), Anihan Orazhan (2037), Shariphan Aqan (1685), Kadika Kapas (2034), Uisin Baban (876), Qalysbek Baban (8083), Ernar Zaken (2695)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE-kaicztcE Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS9AtK7l2l8 Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeTPT9pgeqA Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oamr2-kQT90 Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am4IQnfufWc Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEFVmf4kamo Testimony 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91PdkeFJBH0 Testimony 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAULPzX3-Wo Testimony 9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvtl28tWyTA Testimony 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMWCLzOvS_I Testimony 11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQxkLzlcm_s Entry created: 2018-12-30 Last updated: 2021-08-09 Latest status update: 2020-11-08 1699. Adiba Qairat (阿迪巴·海拉提)
Chinese ID: 654224199003010261 (Toli)
Basic info
Age: 29 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|4|5: Gulzhanat Baisyan, a Kazakhstan citizen. (mother-in-law)
Testimony 6: CNN, an American news-based pay television channel.
Testimony 7: Anonymous, as reported by Gene A. Bunin.
Testimony 8: Gulzhanat Baisyan, as reported by The Believer. (mother-in-law)
About the victim
Adiba Qairat is a mother of three.
Address: House No. 370, No. 1 Neighborhood, Qaragaibastau Road, Toli Municipality, Toli County, Xinjiang (新疆托里县托里镇喀拉盖巴斯陶路1居370号).
Kazakhstan residence permit: 900301000243. Chinese passport: G52130285.
Victim's location
In Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
She was taken to a concentration camp at the end of November 2017. In November 2018, she was released but was then taken to work at a factory. While there, she would be allowed to go home once a week, leaving the factory housing and being shuttled by bus with the other detainees, staying one night and being shuttled back the next day.
In the spring 2019, CNN reporters interviewed her relatives in Kazakhstan and then attempted to find her in Xinjiang, but were not allowed to enter Toli County. The victim's mother-in-law also uploaded a video appeal on April 26, 2019, in which she talked about this, prompting Adiba to contact her relatives in Kazakhstan the next day, under police supervision, so as to tell them to stop appealing and claiming that she and her children were fine. Two days after this, Adiba contacted her mother-in-law again to say that she would divorce her son.
Adiba was ultimately allowed to return to Kazakhstan in late June 2019.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Released and back in Kazakhstan.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Her family in Kazakhstan learned about her detention through relatives in the region [presumably via WeChat].
Limited communication appears to also have taken place when Adiba contacted them herself following the media exposure.
Additional information
Account in The Believer (https://believermag.com/weather-reports-voices-from-xinjiang/):
Nurmylan is wearing an orange vest with yellow polka dots. He sits in his grandmother’s lap, whacking her phone against the desk. “For the first time in two years, just the day before yesterday, we got a video call from our daughter-in-law,” the grandmother, Gulzhanat Baisyan, says. Her daughter-in-law, Adiba Kairat, had called and asked to see her three-year-old son. Gulzhanat had turned the phone camera to Nurmylan. “She cried,” Gulzhanat says. “We were all crying.”
Adiba vanished into China two years ago. She had taken her two daughters, Ansila and Nursila, and left Nurmylan, who had just turned one, with his grandparents. It was meant to be a short trip. Adiba was going to visit her parents. The authorities took her passport and put her in a camp for a year. Now she is working in a factory somewhere, and the two daughters have been left with distant relatives in the village. No one watches them closely. Once, they caught lice. Gulzhanat places a photograph on the desk between us. She received the photo from Adiba’s relatives. The girls in the photo are bald and very thin.
“I think they let her call us so that she would tell us to stay quiet,” Gulzhanat says. “She just kept saying, ‘Our situation is good. Please don’t complain.’ We’d been talking to reporters, posting videos online. I think she was being forced to say this. I didn’t play along. I told her to come home. I told her we couldn’t care for her son by ourselves. She was just crying. She didn’t reply. ‘Do not complain,’ she finally said. ‘It will not do me any good.’”
Victims among relatives
Ansila Esten (1700), Nursila Esten (1701)
Supplementary materials Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyRm07VooRg Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS5lX6vuFNg Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULaJVWOr4ko Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4SXQ_gKr40 Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dafSZfkIB1w Testimony 1: https://shahit.biz/supp/1699_1.mp3 Kazakhstan ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1699_2.jpg photo with youngest son: https://shahit.biz/supp/1699_3.jpg Chinese passport: https://shahit.biz/supp/1699_4.jpg Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1699_10.png
Entry created: 2018-12-30 Last updated: 2020-09-12 Latest status update: 2019-06-27 1723. Gulzira Auelhan (古孜拉·阿瓦尔汗)
Chinese ID: 654124197906202286 (Tokkuztara)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad Health status: has problems Profession: farmwork, herding
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|4|5: Tursynzhan Isanali, born in 1974, now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (husband)
Testimony 6|7: Gulzira Auelhan, a concentration camp survivor, now in Kazakhstan. (the victim)
Testimony 8: Gulzira Auelhan, as reported by Agence France-Presse. (the victim)
Testimony 9: Gulzira Auelhan, as reported by Globe and Mail. (the victim)
Testimony 10: Gulzira Auelhan, as reported by Apple Daily. (the victim)
Testimony 11: Gulzira Auelhan, as reported by Center for Strategic and International Studies. (the victim)
Testimony 12: Gulzira Auelhan, as reported by The Believer. (the victim)
About the victim
Gulzira Auelhan is originally from Xinjiang's Ghulja County, coming from a family of cattle breeders. She moved to Kazakhstan with her family in 2014, where she and her husband would also do farmwork and herding, and is now a legal Kazakhstan resident.
Address in China: House No. 4-169, Group No. 4, Dolan Farm, Ghulja County, Xinjiang (新疆伊宁县多浪农场四队4-169号).
Kazakhstan ID: 790620000450.
Victim's location
In Kazakhstan.
When victim was detained
Gulzira was taken to a re-education camp a few days after her return to China in mid-late 2017 - according to her husband, she was going back to bring her two [step-]daughters over to Kazakhstan, though in her interview to the Globe and Mail (and The Believer) she says it was to visit her ill father. Testimonies differ on when she actually returned, with her husband's initial testimony saying that she went back on July 15, 2017, while in her interview with the Globe and Mail the victim appears to report this as October 16, 2017. Most interviews with her, including her own eyewitness accounts, seem to suggest July 2017 as the correct time, however.
After being detained, she was first taken to a detention facility for 15 days of education. This would drag out into over a year, as she would be kept in various facilities - spending July-November of 2017 in one re-education camp, then being transfer to a former medical facility turned into a camp until July 2018, then spending July-August in a school converted to hold camp detainees, and then another few months at a fourth camp facility.
She was released on October 7, 2018 and allowed to spend about a week with her family, before being transferred to a factory. Again, there is some confusion about the actual date - both her husband and the victim to the Globe and Mail say that she spent about a week with her family before being sent to a factory, but both also say that the transfer took place in mid-late November.
According to her husband, she was allegedly forced to work for 600RMB/month (of which she only received 300) during her time at the factory. In a later account from Gulzira herself, she says that they could also be paid by efficiency, receiving 0.10RMB per pair of gloves sewed (with 600RMB as a guaranteed minimum). In late December, she and eight other women would be told to sign a one-year contract in late December, with the threat of being sent back to re-education if they did not. As a result, Gulzira contacted her husband in Kazakhstan, who then proceeded to go public about this [something that resulted in Radio Free Asia covering the story and at least one major Western outlet calling the factory to inquire].
On December 29, 2018, she was taken by police for interrogation in a dark room [likely as a result of her husband's actions], staying there overnight and being released to her father's house the next day. On January 5, 2019, she was allowed to return to Kazakhstan.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
According to the victim as reported by both CSIS and The Believer, the police at the first detention facility where she was held accused her of having visited one of the "26 sensitive countries" and of having been exposed to "foreign thought".
Victim's status
She is now back in Kazakhstan and reunited with her husband and daughter.
She has been suffering from various health issues as a result of her detention.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Gulzira's is an eyewitness account.
Some of the information that her husband relayed earlier he also obtained directly from Gulzira, being in direct contact with her while she was at the factory. Additional information
The victim's brother-in-law (her husband's brother) had previously spent three months in camp in 2018, and was released to go work as a security guard (保安) for 1600RMB/month (though, as of December 2018, they still hadn't paid him).
---
A short summary of Gulzira's eyewitness account:
She spent a year and 7 months in the camp and a factory.
She started having medical check-ups two days ago (as of January 30, 2019), because she's been having headaches and nausea. The result showed that she has pancreatitis and kidney problems. According to her, the inmates in the camp were given only two minutes for going to the toilet. If you spent more than that, they hit you on the head with an electric baton.
They had to study Chinese the whole day [another interview with her alleges that inmates had to learn 3000 Chinese characters], and the inmates were handcuffed when they did something wrong and when they were transferred from one building to the other.
They originally stayed at the No. 4 High School in Yining County, then were transferred to another building at the Yining County's Zhongyi [中医, traditional Chinese medicine] Hospital.
In the beginning, the inmates were given books in their languages, but later all these were taken away, leaving only the Chinese-language books. They were required to speak Chinese with each other and to read only in Chinese.
There was a "strange" policy allowing married inmates to meet their spouses for two hours in a separate room, without interruption. However, the husband had to pay 20 RMB and needed to bring a clean bedsheet with him. The woman had to take a pill before entering the room.
When Gulzira was in a factory, they were told that they would be paid according to their efficiency, or ten Chinese cents (角) per pair of gloves produced. The most skilled worker could sew 60 pairs a day, which would total to 6RMB/day. Gulzira tried her best but could only sew 13 pairs.
She also mentioned the camps as being split into 4 levels - she was in the lightest.
---
A summary of Gulzira's longer eyewitness account:
They wore uniforms in camp. When she said she was living in Kazakhstan and her husband and children are in Kazakhstan, the head of the camp told her off, saying they hadn't told her to go there, that she had gone herself and was a Chinese citizen, and should never say "Kazakhstan" again. There was a military discipline in the camp. Inmates couldn't cry. If you did you'd be considered to be infected with wrong thoughts and have to sit on a hard chair for 14 hours (7:00-21:00), or you could be transfered to another camp where the rules were even stricter.
There was no freedom at all in the camp. They put you in different cells, where the number of inmates varied from 18 to 60. They tried to not let two Kazakhs be in the same cell. So, she usually stayed with Uyghurs and also had to stay with 17 Han, who were detained for their beliefs (possibly, they were Christians or Falungong). When entering the camp, they had to have their hair cut short, in addition to having an anti-flu injection that cost 250RMB. After two months, they also had a blood test, for reasons unknown.
Gulzira was supposedly detained because she had visited one of the 26 dangerous countries and had watched foreign movies where people wore hijabs, especially in Turkish TV series. She later found out that she ended up there because the head of the Dadui in her village, Hamit, had signed a contract with the re-education camp that she would be educated from July 18, 2017 to July 18, 2018 and was awarded 5000RMB for his "contribution".
After being released from the camp she was forcefully sent to a factory. Although they promised to pay 600RMB per month, she only got paid 300RMB upon her release after a month and half. There was Chinese study in both the camp and the factory. "Workers" who spoke fluent Chinese were encouraged to go to the factories in inner China, which is where one of her relatives ended up going. The ages of inmates in the camps ranged from 17 to 72. After being in a camp, your ID card would ring whenever you went through metal detectors and they'd take you to the police station to be interrogated, making it impossible to be free after being released from camp because of the omnipresent surveillance.
All Kazakhs' passports were taken by the local authorities, and in some villages even the bank cards of retirees have now been confiscated by the local government bodies. You need to go to their office to get your pension, where you tell them your password and they withdraw the money for you without giving you your card. Upon her release from the factory, Gulzira asked the head of the village why they did this. They weren't paid, though they were promised at least 600 RMB or 10 Chinese cents per each pay of gloves they could sew.
Gulzira arrived in Kazakhstan on January 5, 2019.
---
Her feature in AFP (https://sg.news.yahoo.com/camps-factories-muslim-detainees-china-using-forced-labour-041047367.ht ml):
As Gulzira Auelkhan toiled stitching gloves in a factory in China's troubled Xinjiang region, her managers made no secret of where her production would be sold.
"They told us openly that the gloves will be sold abroad, so we should do a good job," Auelkhan recalled of a labour stint she says was enforced by Chinese "re-education" officials.
Auelkhan, a 39-year-old Chinese citizen of Kazakh descent, says she was part of a network of mostly Muslim minorities in Xinjiang who pass from what China calls "vocational training centres" to factories where they are forced to work for far less than the local minimum wage.
...
Auelkhan says she was transferred to the glove factory at the Jiafang industrial estate in Xinjiang's Yining county after spending 15 months in two different "re-education" facilities.
... Auelkhan has residency rights in Kazakhstan but had travelled to China to see family when she was detained and put into a re-education centre.
She said life in the camps was brutal, with residents struck over the head with electrified batons for spending more than two minutes in the bathroom.
...
So even though they were not free to leave, it was an improvement when she and hundreds of other camp inmates were transferred to work at the factory, Auelkhan told AFP in Kazakhstan's biggest city Almaty.
"Every day we were taken to and from a dormitory three kilometres from the factory," she said, hugging the five-year-old daughter she didn't see for nearly two years.
"When we were studying at the camp they told us we would be taught a trade and work for three months," Auelkhan said.
Auelkhan said she was paid only 320 yuan ($48/42 euros) for close to two months' work before her time at the factory was curtailed in December and she was allowed to return to her family in Kazakhstan.
...
Auelkhan believes she was only released from forced labour because of a public campaign launched by her husband and supported by a Xinjiang-focused rights group in Almaty.
---
Her feature in the Globe and Mail (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-i-felt-like-a-slave-inside-chinas-complex-system-of-incar ceration/):
Before she was shocked with a stun gun to the head for spending more than the allotted two minutes in the toilet, and before she was handcuffed for 24 hours because guards accused her of letting another woman participate in religious washing, and before she was forced to make winter gloves for two pennies a piece − before all of that, Gulzira Auelhan remembers a Chinese police officer telling her she needed to be educated.
The classes would only last 15 days, the officer told her in mid-October, 2017. “You will be released very soon,” Ms. Auelhan, 38, remembers hearing. An ethnic Kazakh who was born in China but had been living in Kazakhstan, she had returned to China’s far western Xinjiang region to visit her father, who was ill.
Instead, over the course of 437 days, she was detained in five different facilities, including a factory and a middle school converted into a centre for political indoctrination and technical instruction, with several interludes of a form of house arrest with relatives. The Chinese government has said it offers free vocational education and skills training to people such as Ms. Auelhan. But over more than 14 months, “that training lasted one week,” she said, not including the time she spent forced to work in a factory.
The remainder of the time, she spent inside a complex system of incarceration and control that has been built in a region where Chinese authorities say they are combatting extremism through education. Early this year, she was released back to Kazakhstan, where she recounted her experience in a lengthy interview with The Globe and Mail. What she experienced, she said, “is really cruel.”
...
Ms. Auelhan, like most of the people interviewed for this article, is a Chinese-born ethnic Kazakh, a mother of three who says her main ambition in life has been to raise her children well.
She moved to Kazakhstan in 2014, but returned to China for a visit on Oct. 16, 2017. Chinese border officials seized her passport and ordered her to wait until the arrival of police, who escorted her to her hometown in Duolang Village.
They told Ms. Auelhan she could not go to see her father.
Instead, they told her she needed to get some schooling. She offered to pack her clothes and collect some money for expenses. No need, they replied. Everything would be free of charge. She was confused. “I said, ‘Okay, what kind of place is it, if you don’t even need to spend money or wear clothes?’ ”
...
Ms. Auelhan discovered what kind of place she was being taken to almost as soon as she arrived. The sign read “Yining County Vocational School,” but it was surrounded by high walls and guard towers. It was ”completely like a prison,” she said. Inside, staff ordered her to change into a uniform − red shirt, black track pants − and cut short her hair, saying it was for hygienic purposes. They locked her in a cell with 32 other women, each with their own bunk bed.
It was the first of four centres where she would be incarcerated over the following year − her own personal journey through the complex assemblage of internment in Xinjiang. She stayed at a converted hospital, a middle school and a new mid-rise facility that seemed purpose-built for what China calls vocational training.
“They told us, ‘You are here to be educated because you were infected with evil thoughts of religion,’ ” she recalled.
Soon after arriving at the first centre, Ms. Auelhan began to learn the rules of her new life. Each night, she and the others took two-hour shifts to watch each other. “Even if you wanted to kill yourself, there was no possibility, because you are being monitored everywhere,” she said.
“We couldn’t even cry because if you cry, they say you have evil thoughts in your mind.”
Trips to the toilet had to be done in pairs, so one woman could keep an eye on the other, in part to prevent forbidden religious expression, including ablution. Once, Ms. Auelhan accompanied to the toilet an older lady who accidentally splashed urine on her own feet. When guards noticed that the woman had rinsed herself clean, they saw it as ritual washing, and punished Ms. Auelhan by handcuffing her hands behind her back for 24 hours.
In April, 2018, she said, prison staff brought out buckets of prayer mats and ordered the detainees to set them on fire.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to detailed questions sent about her account. But for Ms. Auelhan, who calls herself Muslim but does not pray, one of the chief hardships was use of the toilet, because women were restricted to two minutes each time. Detainees frequently experienced constipation − she’s not certain whether it was the infrequency of bathroom access or the daily diet of steamed buns, rice, potatoes and maize. But if they spent more than 120 seconds on the toilet, “you can expect you will be electric shocked,” she said. Stun guns would typically be applied to the head. “They explained that if they did it on the body, it might leave a mark,” Ms. Auelhan said.
Guards told detainees that they were “under military discipline,” with cameras constantly watching − including in bathrooms and during weekly showers. Even so, monthly conjugal visits were allowed, she said, for a fee of $4; another detainee confirmed the existence of such visits.
Yet such allowances were a rare break from days filled with Chinese language classes and lectures on health, politics and law. Instructors regularly ordered the writing of confession letters, which included thanks “to the Communist Party for the education it provided,” and for “giving us this opportunity to clear our evil thoughts.”
Ms. Auelhan found herself experiencing flashes of agreement, reflecting as she wrote on the happiness she had felt growing up in Xinjiang.
But the feeling did not last, because “everything else they did to us was a complete lie,” she said. That extended to appearance: When her hair began to go grey, she was given dye to make it black when dignitaries visited, and told to smile.
But Ms. Auelhan could not stop thinking about the gap between what she was being told and what she saw unfolding around her. “They say all of the ethnic groups in China are together in peace and love,” she said. Why, then, she wondered, were Muslims virtually the only ones in detention?
In nearly a year spent in various indoctrination centres, she received a single week of instruction on a sewing machine, before being released Oct. 7, 2018.
But she was not yet free. Instead, after a week spent with family, the next chapter of her detention was about to begin, in a factory. The indoctrination wasn’t over, either.
In late November of 2018, the village secretary in Ms. Auelhan’s hometown arrived with a document. It said she needed to report for work to a glove-making factory. “You need money,” the official told her.
At the factory, her superiors told her the gloves, whose brands she could not recall, would be sold abroad, “so we needed to try our best,” she said. She was taken to work at the Yining County Home Textile and Clothing Industrial Park where, according to a government website, the Yili Zhuowan Clothing Manufacturing Co. produces US$15-million a year in gloves for export to the United States, Russia, the European Union and Japan. A person who answered a phone at the company said he knew nothing about its hiring practices.
Ms. Auelhan was promised pay of $119 a month, in a region where the local minimum wage is $290, until the factory’s owners, citing the cost of feeding her and ferrying her home for weekly Sunday family visits, switched to a piecemeal system, paying two cents a completed pair. On her best day, she completed 11 pairs.
While at the factory, Ms. Auelhan lived in a dormitory roughly three kilometres away, where she could leave her room but not the compound. Here, too, education continued. Workers received readings in the factory before work and, at day’s end, 45-minute Chinese lessons in the dormitory, where they were watched at night by an official.
Then, on Dec. 29, police took her for interrogation and held her overnight in a dark room. The next day, officials bought her a lunch of besbarmak, a Kazakh dish with horse meat and noodles. “They told me, ‘You must miss meat,’” she said. After lunch, they released her to her father’s house. She was paid $45.50 for her factory labours.
On Jan. 5, officials escorted her to the Kazakhstan border. “Remember that you are not allowed to say anything about the camps or what you have been through while you were in China,” she recalled them saying.
“If you do, then remember that it’s very easy for the Chinese government to find you.”
...
Ms. Auelhan’s family has also struggled. She has a daughter still in Xinjiang, while in Kazakhstan, her husband struggles to believe that she vanished into detention centres for so long. He “is very good to me,” she said.
“But sometimes he asks, ‘Did you really spend that time there? You weren’t with another man?’ ”
---
Additional coverage: https://www.twreporter.org/a/xinjiang-re-education-camps-truth https://uat-xinjiangcamps.appledaily.com/受害者/古孜拉-阿瓦爾汗 https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/lager-shahit-10222019172818.html https://www.lepoint.fr/monde/les-ouigours-parias-de-la-nouvelle-chine-12-10-2019-2340852_24.php https://csis-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/publication/Lehr_ConnectingDotsXinjiang_interior_v3_FU LL_WEB.pdf [anonymous]
The official Xinjiang spokespeople have also tried to discredit Gulzira following her appearance in a PBS documentary (https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1187107.shtml). Specifically, the Global Times wrote:
"Another interviewee, Gulzila Awarkhan, is a 'dishonest and unscrupulous woman.' She was put on blacklist by her bank because she intentionally delayed paying off her loans and still hasn't paid back the interest after it came due, Eljiang said.
In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Gulzila said that her aim and dream was to bring up her children, but she has never had any children. According to her two ex-husbands, Gulzila was unfaithful, and continually cheated on them during their marriages.
'Since we know what Gulzila is like, should we believe what she said?' the spokesperson asked."
Eyewitness account
[The following is the victim's first-person account to The Believer magazine, as reported by Ben Mauk.]
I saw enough while I was there. I want to speak. I want what happened to be published. The thing is, my relatives are against me. They’re my enemies now. They tell me not to talk about these things. Even my stepdaughter is against me.
I remember my parents telling me that in Mao Zedong’s time, there were activists and political events where things got violent. During Mao’s time, they burned Korans and other religious books. They silenced you. We were cut off from family in the Soviet Union. But then Deng came to power and things calmed down. I remember when I was young, at some ceremonies there might be a Chinese state flag, but that was the sum of my political awareness.
In fact, thinking back to my childhood days, I didn’t care about anything. Then I got married. I grew up. Ours was a traditional Kazakh wedding. My father paid a dowry. My face was covered. I was wearing a traditional dress. Now they’re gone, all those clothes. When I think back to these times, I think of how good they were. I can’t understand how all this happened. In 2014, they started taking away schoolteachers. We knew something was happening — it was quiet, but something was changing. That was the year my daughter was born. We got our Chinese passports and went to Kazakhstan to visit my husband’s mother’s family. The three of us came: my husband, my daughter, and I. We came here and decided to stay.
The only problem was my father. Back in Ghulja, we’d been farming corn. My parents had been cattle breeders until the party made them give it up for farming. I can still picture the summer herding pasture from my childhood. But they became farmers, and then when my father turned fifty, he lost the will to walk. Doctors couldn’t find any reason for it. He just stopped. He became an invalid. Eight years later, my mother died, and he was alone.
For years, my husband and I looked after my father. We ran the farm. We would get a loan in the spring, use it to farm in the summer, then we’d collect the harvest in the fall and repay the loan to the bank. It was hard work. We certainly weren’t getting rich. When we came to Kazakhstan, we gave up all that and became hired hands, milking and herding someone else’s cattle. At last we got our permanent residence permits. After that, I would go to China to check on my father. We tried to support him from afar. My brother looked after him.
In 2017, I heard from my brother that our father was dying. No treatment was possible. [Starts to cry] I went back to see him. I was still breastfeeding my daughter at the time, but I decided to wean her and leave her with my husband. Yes, I was still breastfeeding her at three years. [Laughs and shakes her head] What can I say? My life is strange. I took an overnight bus. At Khorgos, the Chinese authorities stopped me. They checked my papers. Something was wrong. They notified the police in Ghulja, and soon enough the local police came to Khorgos and interrogated me. They were stern. They told me I would never return to Kazakhstan, then took me to my village in a police car. It’s fifty miles to the village, and — let me tell you — it was the longest drive of my life. I was thinking to myself, Shit, and I was crying. Stop crying, they said.
They took me to my brother-in-law’s house. The next morning, I went to the local police station. I went to see the head of the Fourth Unit of the Dolan Farm, in Ghulja County. I asked him to give me back my passport. He refused. You’re going to study for fifteen days, he said. The man is himself Uighur. Everyone’s caught up in it.
I still hadn’t seen my dying father. I asked them to let me visit him. Don’t worry, the mayor said. It’s only fifteen days. At the time, I thought they were probably right. Why would they lie to me? My father would live for at least another two weeks. So I asked permission — I was still in the mayor’s office — to get my clothes and things from my brother-in-law’s. He refused. They drove me straight from the mayor’s office to the camp. At the camp, I was given a uniform: a red T-shirt, black trousers, Adidas trainers, and some Chinese-style slippers. That was all. They also gave me a shot. They said it was a flu shot. Then, after a month in the camp, they took a blood sample. After that, they would take a blood sample every once in a while. You never knew when it might happen. I don’t know what they were doing, what sort of experiments…
I saw many Kazakhs brought into the camp while I was there. When I asked them what they’d done, they told me they’d visited family members in Kazakhstan, made phone calls to other countries, things like that. As for me, we had some security officials in the camp who told me that Kazakhstan was on a list of the twenty-six most dangerous countries, not to be visited. As a result of your visit, they said, you will be reeducated for a year — that’s when I learned the truth. Not fifteen days but a year! I tried to tell them about my travel permit. They didn’t care. You are a Chinese citizen, they said, so we will reeducate you, as is our right. Do what we tell you and write what we tell you. The interrogations began. They asked for my full biography, including all of my relatives’ names, especially any relatives in prison or abroad. My brother’s name is Samedin, and they wanted to know why he had been given a religious name. When you’re in a camp, they’ll keep asking you the same questions, over and over, all throughout your stay. Nineteen times: I counted. They interrogated me nineteen times.
From July to November I was living in one reeducation facility, the first of several. There were eight hundred women there. I didn’t see any men except for some of the security officers. We were about fifty women in a classroom, plus three teachers and two security guards. There were cameras in the classroom, and in every other room, 360-degree cameras running twenty-four hours a day and filming everything. The classes were what you’ve heard. We were made to say things like “I like China” and “I like Xi Jinping.” We were told our first priority should be to learn Chinese. Then we could work for the government or get a job in mainland China. Even then, we knew this was ridiculous. I saw disabled old women in the camp. Deaf girls. Were they to get a factory job? I remember two women who had no legs. How could they work? But the instructor would say that even without legs, your eyes are healthy. Your heart is healthy. You’ll be fit for work anyway.
When we weren’t in class, we lived together in a long hall, a kind of shed. Each shed housed thirty-three women. We were obliged to make our beds every morning, just like soldiers in the army, not a wrinkle. Once, the inspector didn’t like how I’d made my bed. He took my bedsheets over to the toilet in the corner and threw them in. It was the same if we were too slow — we had only three minutes to make our beds in the morning. Otherwise, into the toilet.
Should I be saying all this? I don’t know. In any case, my name is everywhere. I’ve said it all before. I’m not trying to visit China anymore, not even to see my family. Most likely I’ll die here.
In November, they took me to a new camp, a medical facility — it looked like it had once been a hospital, a new one — but they’d turned it into a camp. From the outside, it looked good. Once in a while, when some inspector from the Central Committee — or, anyway, from outside Xinjiang — came, they tried to spruce it up. If you looked close, you could see barbed wire on the fences outside, which they tried to disguise by also adding fake vines, and they put fake flowers in every window to hide the fact that they were barred. As soon as the inspector left, they removed these decorations. This was one of the Professional Reeducation Centers of the Ghulja region.
In the second camp, they let me talk to my relatives. Once a week you could talk to them on the phone. And once a month they could visit. We would be brought into a room with our relatives on the other side, beyond a wall of wire mesh. The guards would remove my handcuffs. We spoke through the screen.
Mostly we ate only rice and steamed buns — plain, empty buns — at every meal. Probably they put some additives into the dough for nutrition, I don’t know. We never, ever felt full. Once, there was a Chinese holiday and they made us eat pig meat. I mean, they forced us to eat pork. If you refused to eat, as I did once or twice, they put you in cuffs and locked you up. You are not mentally correct, they would explain. Your ideology is wrong. You people are going to become friends with Chinese people, they said. First we are going to destroy your religion, then we will destroy your extremist nationalist feelings, then you will become relatives of China. We will visit your weddings, and you will visit ours. And at our weddings, you will eat pork. They would handcuff you to a chair and reprimand you.
Why are you refusing to eat this food provided to you by the Communist Party? You would sit for twenty-four hours in that chair. They called it the black chair or the lion [tiger] chair. After the first refusal, you got a warning; after the second, you got the chair. The third time you refused, they took you to another facility, one where it was said conditions were harsher. I didn’t refuse a third time.
I was lodged with mostly Uighur women. I think they didn’t want me to be able to communicate with other Kazakhs. There was only one kind of interaction they encouraged. My husband was in Kazakhstan, but for those women who had husbands available, they could meet them once a month for two hours at the camp for marital visits. A room was provided. They were left alone. The husbands were told to bring bedsheets. Before seeing the husbands, the women were given a pill. A tablet, I mean. And sometimes, at night, the single women, taken… [trails off].
I shouldn’t even say “encouraged.” They were forcing every woman who had a husband to meet with him. Even an old woman had to lie in bed for two hours with her husband. They would shame the old women. Don’t you miss your husband? And afterward, they would take the women to bathe. As for the pill they received, I think it was a birth control pill. They didn’t want any births. If you were pregnant when you came to the camp, they performed an abortion. If you refused, they took you to a stricter place, one without visits with relatives. That’s what I heard.
From November until July, I was in the hospital-turned-camp. I remember one time they made us burn a pile of prayer rugs they had collected from people’s homes. While we worked, they asked us questions: Why does your brother have a religious name? Do you have a Koran at home?
In July, they transferred me to a third camp. This was an ordinary school they had turned into a reeducation camp. What I remember most about this camp was that there were no toilets. We had to use a bucket. And, as I said, there were fifty people in a class. Here, too, they would interrogate us, asking us about our husbands and children. Sometimes they would take away three or four women at a time. These women would never come back. Other women would soon arrive to replace them.
In August, I went to a fourth and final facility — we were transferred overnight — where I lived for the remainder of my detention. They kept promising to release us eventually. If you behave, they said, in a month we will teach you a vocation. If your ideas improve. They never did teach us a vocation, but on October 6, 2018, some ethnic Kazakh officials came to the camp. One of them said that good news was coming, and the next day, about 250 women were released. Of these, 150 or so were Kazakh. I know because they separated the Kazakhs from the others and counted us. While we were separated, they told us we had to keep our mouths shut. They said: We have to make our two countries friends. You will be treated in a friendly way, but dangerous ideas are coming from Kazakhstan, so once you’re back in Kazakhstan, say only good things about the camp. There was a threat implied here. When one member of a family is taken for reeducation, others often follow. My husband’s younger brother was taken. It was a spiderweb. They are taking everyone inside.
When I was released, I was taken back to Ghulja, my husband’s village, where the authorities held a ceremony for me and some of the other women from the village. There was a Chinese flag, a podium. They made each of us speak. We had to say nice things about the camp. They told the local population about my achievements. You see, they said, Gulzira is now well educated. She will now work as a teacher for you.
I went to my father’s village at last. I was able to see him. But even here, my sister-in-law was made to spy on me. The authorities asked her to watch me and listen to what I said. I spent five nights at my father’s house. Then they gathered all the women in the area who came from Kazakhstan and told us we were going to work at a factory.
While all this was happening, my husband was working toward my release. Together with Atajurt, he was uploading videos about my detention in China. But I wasn’t aware. I was taken back to my husband’s village and was forced to begin work at a factory. I’d thought I would be sent back to Kazakhstan, but the people I asked were saying contradictory things, and in the end, I was sent to the factory, a kind of sweatshop, I suppose, making gloves. I was told the factory made handbags and some clothes as well, but I only ever worked on gloves. The products were exported abroad, we were told, and sold to foreigners. You made some money, but if you stopped working, they sent you back to the camp. So there wasn’t much of a choice. They told me to sign a contract agreeing to work at this factory for a year. In the end, I worked there for a month and a half. It was piecework. I earned one jiao [10 Chinese cents] for every glove I finished. All told, I made more than two thousand gloves and earned 220 yuan. So, you see, it was like slavery.
One good thing, maybe the only good thing, about the factory was that we were allowed to have our phones again. We could call our loved ones. After more than a year, I finally got to hear my husband’s voice. One day I took a photo of the factory on my phone and sent it to my husband. He showed it to Serikzhan, who published it. They took away my phone. Then they interrogated me. They asked all the same questions they’d asked me many times, and more, all night long. But it worked. They let me go. They took me back to my husband’s village. His relatives were angry with me because of what my husband had done. What have you done? they asked. You’re international news! My relatives wrote messages to my husband. Stop complaining, they told him. You should praise the country! You should thank the government and the party!
I was taken back to my father’s place in January. I saw my father again, probably for the last time. Now he needs care like a child. The police told my father and the relatives that I’d better not speak about the camp, or else my father would be arrested. They took photos of us all drinking tea together. Back at the mayor’s office, I had to write a letter thanking the party for reeducating me for a year and a half. Then, at the border, they interrogated me for another four hours. Finally, they let me cross.
Probably this is a lasting consequence of the camp: I always feel tired. I have no energy anymore. Doctors say I have kidney problems. I’m just happy my husband was here. It’s because of him I was released. There were women in the camp who didn’t have anyone outside China to help them. They were taken to the mainland to work in factories. What has become of them?
I think until Xi Jinping dies, life for Kazakhs in Xinjiang will not change. It’s like it was in Mao’s time. But I will dedicate my life to helping them. Even if it means my family has turned against me. Even my stepdaughter, who was herself detained in the camps, tells me to stop complaining. But I won’t. You can come talk to me anytime. But I don’t know my phone number. My memory is bad. It’s gotten bad since I was in the camps. My focus. And I forgot one other thing: We were allocated only two minutes for going to the toilet in the camps. If we couldn’t do it in time, they beat us with a stick. I suffered five or six beatings because sometimes I was slow. Only in the head. They always targeted our heads.
Source: https://believermag.com/weather-reports-voices-from-xinjiang/ Victims among relatives
Qundyz Tursynzhan (1724), Zhadira Tursynzhan (2542)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa0GQMW0w-I Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xpSJxacCmQ Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR1DRkXjmLo Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFFOfvIEYGQ Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypRvu4Se50U Testimony 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR6P5DVNEnQ at Astana press club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsM6LU8i9BE Testimony 1: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_1.mp3 Kazakhstan ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_2.jpg Marriage certificate: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_3.jpg Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_4.jpg Photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_5.jpg state media report on Jiafang: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_9.mp4 portrait (Globe and Mail): https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_13.jpg portrait (AFP): https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_14.jpg photo with daughter (RTS): https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_15.png photo at factory dining hall: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_16.jpg propaganda video attacking victim: https://shahit.biz/supp/1723_18.mp4
Entry created: 2018-12-31 Last updated: 2020-08-10 Latest status update: 2019-05-01 1751. Aytulla Razaq (阿依吐拉·热扎克)
Chinese ID: 652101196409151325 (Turpan)
Basic info
Age: 54 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Turpan Status: house/town arrest When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-3: Muqtar Murat, from Turpan. Now a Kazakhstan citizen. DOB: May 11, 1995. Kazakhstan PIN: 950511000066.
Testimony 4: Erezhep Aqan.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-3: The victim is the testifier's mother.
Testimony 4: Unclear.
About the victim
Aytulla Razaq (阿依吐拉·热扎克), an ethnic Uyghur from the city of Turpan.
Home address: No. 13, Group 1, Gobi Village, Yar Township, Turpan City.
DOB: September 15, 1964. Chinese ID: 652101196409151325.
Victim's location
In Turpan.
When victim was detained
She was taken to a concentration camp on April 24, 2017. In October 2018, she was sent to a textile factory.
Testimony 4: Released to house arrest on January 25, 2019.
Likely (or given) reason for detention ---
Victim's status
Currently under house arrest.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Muqtar was in Turpan himself a few months after his mother was detained.
Additional information
Muqtar went to Turpan in July 2017, despite still being a Chinese citizen at the time. He only stayed two days, however, as his father warned him that he'd be better off going back to Kazakhstan and getting citizenship there first.
Victims among relatives
Murat Bisultan (1750), Mustafa Ahan (1775)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Von4Cg160 Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7bJncMQb8M Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF-egphhdRc Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtPZBE7JDcc Testimony 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQNh5bVPgA0 : https://shahit.biz/supp/1751_1.mp3 Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/1751_2.jpg Photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/1751_3.jpg Photo with husband: https://shahit.biz/supp/1751_4.jpg
Entry created: 2019-01-01 Last updated: 2020-04-05 Latest status update: 2019-01-29 1775. Mustafa Ahan
Chinese ID: 652325199110082615 (Qitai)
Basic info
Age: 27 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Changji Status: house/town arrest When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): contact with outside world|--- Health status: --- Profession: security/police
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3: Muhtar Murat, born in 1995, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. (cousin)
Testimony 4: Erezhep Aqan, a resident of Kazakhstan. (cousin)
Testimony 5: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Mustafa Ahanuly is a Chinese citizen. He was a policeman.
Address: Wumachang township (五马场乡), Qitai county, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China.
Victim's location
Presumably in Changji.
When victim was detained
Originally detained on October 17, 2017 (camp, presumably), then transferred to a textile factory in October 2018. On January 12, 2019, he was released from the factory and put under house arrest.
Likely (or given) reason for detention for buying a SIM card for a relative visiting from Kazakhstan
Victim's status
Testimony 4: under house arrest since January 12, 2019.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Murat Bisultan (1750), Aytulla Razaq (1751)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7bJncMQb8M Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF-egphhdRc Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6Von4Cg160 Testimony 1: https://shahit.biz/supp/1775_1.mp3 photo (1): https://shahit.biz/supp/1775_2.jpg photo (2): https://shahit.biz/supp/1775_3.jpg
Entry created: 2019-01-02 Last updated: 2019-01-02 Latest status update: 2019-01-29 1811. Erzhan Rash (叶尔江·热阿西)
Chinese ID: 654125196708024214 (Kunes)
Basic info
Age: 51 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1: Gulbostan Rash, born on December 30, 1962, now citizen of Kazakhstan, lives in Almaty Region
Testimony 2: Serik Rashuly, born on September 15, 1965, is a Kazakhstan citizen; ID number is 032669102.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-2: Brother
About the victim
Erzhan Rash (叶尔江*热阿西), born on August 2, 1967. Address in China: 51 Liangzhan (粮站), Qarabula township, (喀拉布拉乡), Xinyuan county, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture. Chinese ID no. 654125196708024214.
Victim's location
Unclear
When victim was detained
Arrested and sent to re-education camp on July 13, 2017.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear
Victim's status
Testimony 1: Released on September 9, 2018. Now he has been assigned to work as a security guard Testimony 2: Released in November 2018.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear
Additional information
His wife and children live in Kazakhstan
Victims among relatives
Rash Qazybek (1810)
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79SgROVFCKc video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvzU2WtB9_s Chinese ID card: https://shahit.biz/supp/1811_3.png
Entry created: 2019-01-03 Last updated: 2019-01-03 Latest status update: 2019-01-08 2210. Dinara Kamil
Chinese ID: 65??????????????E? (place of origin unclear)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Kyrgyz Likely current location: --- Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Adil Zhunus, as reported by New Survey of the Silk Road (丝路新观察). (uncle)
About the victim
Dinara Kamil is the niece of Kyrgyzstan member of parliament Adil Zhunus and Kyrgyz historian Asqar Zhunus.
Victim's location
---
When victim was detained
It is not clear when Dinara was first sent to "training", but according to her uncle she was recently released [probably at the end of 2018] after "completing her studies" (结业) in a "training center" (培训中心). The government then gave her a choice between working in the neighborhood administration (社区) or a kindergarten.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Released from detention and working [presumably in forced job placement].
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Not stated.
Additional information Original story in the Chinese state media: https://archive.vn/mhrtg
State-media report(s)
Source: https://archive.vn/dbQLS
KYRGYZSTAN MP: "XINJIANG VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS ARE A GOOD MEANS OF PREVENTING EXTREMISM"
Lately, a number of fake videos and news have been circulating on social networks in Kyrgyzstan, creating rumors and distorting the nature of the vocational and educational training centers (hereafter referred to as “training centers”) in Xinjiang, presenting them as “re-education camps” and the like. Because of this, a reporter from the New Survey of the Silk Road interviewed Adil Zhunus, a Kyrgyzstan parliament member, to have him tell the readers, based on his own personal experience, what kind of place Xinjiang really is. The vocational and education training centers have brought Xinjiang happiness, not disaster.
XINJIANG IS CHINA'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PROVINCE, AND ONE THAT EVERYONE SHOULD TREASURE
An ethnic Kyrgyz, Adil Zhunus was born in Xinjiang’s city of Ghulja on May 15, 1963. His father, now retired, used to work as a teacher at the Ili Veterinary College. After graduating from Xinjiang University with a major in geography, Adil was appointed to the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Xinjiang Ecology and Geography Research Laboratory in 1987.
Adil went to Kyrgyzstan for the first time in 1991, to visit relatives and to travel. In 1993, he moved to Kyrgyzstan to study at Bishkek’s newly founded humanities university, where he taught Chinese and learned Russian. He later created his own company and started his career in commerce. He spent over ten years as the vice-president of Kyrgyzstan’s overseas-Chinese association, doing very much to help maintain good relations between the two countries.
Adil obtained Kyrgyz citizenship in February 2001. In 2015, he successfully ran for a seat in the country’s sixth parlimentary elections. He also served as the vice chairman of the China-Kyrgyzstan relations group, continuing to contribute to collaboration between China and Kyrgyzstan.
According to Adil, his parents, siblings, relatives, old classmates, and friends and colleagues are all in China, and he often comes to China to see family and travel despite already having gotten Kyrgyz citizenship. China, he says, is his favorite place. In his opinion, Xinjiang is China’s most beautiful province. As the people of Xinjiang themselves say: "Our Xinjiang is a great place – home to the Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui, Kyrgyz, Mongol, and 47 other ethnic groups."
"There were people of 15 different ethnic groups living in the courtyard at the Ili Veterinary Hospital, where I was born and raised," Adil reminisces. "We lived harmoniously without paying attention to ethnicity or financial status. At that time, all of Xinjiang lived that way – everyone getting along peacefully."
He then adds, with sorrow:
"But later, terrorism, separatism, and extremism destroyed the original, harmonious Xinjiang. A lot of families were destroyed, and a lot of people started to go down criminal paths after being influenced by extremist demagoguery."
Adil expresses his heartfelt desire to see Xinjiang regain its initial tranquility. He doesn’t want to hear about or see those bad things anymore. He hopes for peace in China, peace in Kyrgyzstan, and especially peace in Xinjiang. He hopes that all ethnic groups can live harmoniously in Xinjiang, and cherish this wonderful place.
TRAINING CENTERS ARE AN INGENIOUS MEANS OF DERADICALIZATION
Faced with complex and severe circumstances, the Xinjiang authorities have chosen the principle of "strike hard but emphasize prevention", developing the vocational and educational training center system to prevent the appearance and spread of extremism, thereby protecting the most fundamental human right of the populace and safeguarding them from terrorism and extremism in the greatest way possible.
However, following the premeditated incitement of certain destructive forces, some people have started to have misgivings about Xinjiang’s vocational and educational training centers. Some have previously asked Adil if the Kyrgyz in China were being locked up or tortured.
His answer is as follows:
"I feel pity for those who have been blinded by the fake news. The Xinjiang vocational and educational training centers are an ingenious means of deradicalization."
As he puts it, China is a country of law, but the "three evil forces" have encroached deeply into Xinjiang. With the help of teachers, people at the training centers learn the national language, obtain a better knowledge of the law, and acquire vocational skills that then help those having been influenced by extremism and those having committed minor crimes transform their thoughts and to return to normal society, effectively curing and preventing the apparition of the "three evil forces" and the spread of extremism.
Adil is fully supportive of the means and resolution of China’s preventive attack on the "three evil forces".
"In December 2018, I made a trip to China to see with my own eyes the Kyrgyz who graduated from the training centers," he says. "All of them have found good jobs now, and their Chinese has gotten a lot better. Their national awareness, awareness of themselves as citizens, and awareness of the law have clearly been strengthened. Most importantly, they all learned one or multiple trades to make a living, and aren’t idle do-nothings anymore."
As it turned out, Adil’s niece, Dinara Kamil, has just graduated from a training center recently.
"After she graduated from the training center, the government prepared for Dinara two jobs for her to choose from," Adil says. "She could go work for the neighborhood administration or go work at a kindergarten. The work is a reliable source of income, and her parents don’t need to worry about her."
Additionally, Adil’s younger brother, Askar Zhunus, is currently studying at a training center. Adil expresses that he has no right to get involved in this matter, seeing as his brother is a Chinese citizen. As an individual and a citizen, his brother acts responsibly so long as his actions are good and proper. However, if he has done something wrong, then it is only natural that he bear the responsibility according to Chinese law. As an older brother, Adil is also very worried about the other’s future.
THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA AND KYRGYZSTAN ARE A PRODUCT OF A LONG HISTORY, AND THE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES CANNOT BE EASILY BROKEN
As Adil puts it, the friendly relations between China and Kyrgyzstan are a natural product of a long history. The two have been the friendliest of Silk Road neighbors since ancient times. Over the course of history, many ethnicities would come in contact with one another and engage in trade. Trade then led way to cultural exchange, which would only strengthen the links between the two areas.
He says that after Kyrgyzstan’s independence in 1991, the two countries have really put in motion the historically friendly relations to achieve many breakthroughs on the political, economic, and cultural fronts.
For example: following the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries opened up the Torugart and Erkeshtam border crossings. There are currently direct flights between China and Kyrgyzstan every day. Student exchanges have also became a highlight of the collaboration between Chinese and Kyrgyz institutes of higher education. One after another, Kyrgyzstan has conceived and implemented a number of large projects with China’s technological support. All sorts of cultural exchanges and tourism are developing rapidly in both countries.
Following a June 2018 meeting in Beijing between the highest delegates from both countries, the relations between China and Kyrgyzstan have evolved to those of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Adil believes that the establishment of this comprehensive partnership is a new page for the relations between the countries, and something that the people from both should cherish.
Adil states that China has always faithfully upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, equality and cooperation for mutual benefit, peaceful co-existence) since Premier Zhou Enlai proposed them in 1953. This set of principles has also seen approval from many other countries, and has become a fundamental guide for navigating relations between nations.
Victims among relatives
Askar Zhunus (1297)
Entry created: 2019-01-20 Last updated: 2019-01-20 Latest status update: 2019-01-20 2216. Shalqar Nuhan (恰哈尔·奴汗)
Chinese ID: 650103198202192816 (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 36 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: house/town arrest When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"registration issues" Health status: --- Profession: private business
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Pariza Maiyrbek was born on January 18, 1983.
Victim's relation to testifier husband
About the victim
Shalqar Nuhan, born on February 19, 1982, is a Chinese citizen. Her ID number is 650103198202192816. He went to China to do business in November 2015 and in July 2017 his wife and 3-year-old daughter went to China and stayed with him till August 2017. He was put into a re-education camp on October 20, 2017, and released on November 27, 2018. He was given a job in a village administrative center as an employee on duty till December 27, 2018, and has been under house arrest since.
Victim's location
Shawan county, Tacheng region, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
When victim was detained
October 20, 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention renewing passport. The local police told him that according to their record his passport had already expired. The victim has renewed his passport at the consulate of the PRC in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Victim's status under house arrest since December 27, 2018 How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
His daughter was born in 2014 and she has not seen her father for a year and a half.
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLcxacZKWbM Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/2216_2.png
Entry created: 2019-01-20 Last updated: 2019-01-20 Latest status update: 2019-01-17 2262. Abduhelil Hashim
Chinese ID: 652401196211072214 (Ghulja City)
Basic info
Age: 58 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Ili Status: sentenced (19 years) When problems started: Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|"inciting ethnic hatred", "extremism", past "transgressions" Health status: deceased Profession: private business
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1|5: Zhumagul, a resident of Kazakhstan. (sister-in-law)
Testimony 2|7: Wahap Hakim, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (nephew)
Testimony 3: Local government employee, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur.
Testimony 4*: Anonymous, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (relative)
Testimony 6: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
Testimony 8: Local police, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abduhalim [RFA report: Abduhelil] Hashim, born in 1962. He was said to be detained in concentration camp first because he travelled to overseas. Beside being a business man, he was also a teacher. He was asked to teach Chinese while himself was in the camp, then was transferred to a prison after he confessed that he sent his son to study Quran.
Address: 38 Bahar Street, Ghulja City.
Victim's location
"New Prison" in Kunes County [according to RFA Uyghur report, exact source unclear but likely relative in Kazakhstan]. [This is the Kunes Maximum-Security Prison, as RFA reports it to be in Beshtope Village, which is where the prison is located.]
When victim was detained earlier: January 2017 RFA reports "around 3 months ago" [as of April 2019]. [this is presumably the prison sentence, not when he was taken to camp]
Testimony 5: arrested at his home on March 28, 2017.
Testimony 7: Abduhelil passed away at a prison hospital on May 2, 2021. Abduwahab found out through social media, held a nezir in Kazakhstan, and sent a video of that nezir to relatives in Ghulja. Those relatives responded, confirming the death.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
RFA report: Visited Egypt; sent his son to Quran class; spred ethnic hatred.
According to a previous RFA investigation [unclear which], he was charged with "religious extremism" for receiving religious education from a neighbour 40 years prior.
Victim's status original: in a re-education camp
RFA reports that he was sentenced to 19 years in prison after working as a teacher in camp.
Testimony 7: deceased.
Testimony 8: Two staff members from the prison confirmed Abduhelil's death.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 7: Abduhelil and his wife were able to video chat once a month. He appeared healthy in the last video chat on April 30, 2021. Abduwahab suspects that the cause of death was torture or mistreatment.
Additional information
This testimony has further been supplemented by info from the RFA report (Testimony 2-3): https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/biguna-kesilgen-tijaretchi-04162019233018.html
RFA coverage of his death (Testimony 7-8): https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/businessman-05122021175547.html (original Uyghur: https://www.rfa.org/uyghur/xewerler/abduxelil-hashim-05102021191909.html)
[There is a high likelihood of the victim having been subjected to forced labor, as this practice has been documented at Kunes Prison.]
Victims among relatives
Merdan Helil (2263)
Supplementary materials Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qak4ormoXGM Testimony 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OCESGAcZ2s RFA report (Uyghur): https://shahit.biz/supp/2262_2.mp3 family photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/2262_3.jpeg photo with wife: https://shahit.biz/supp/2262_5.jpeg
Entry created: 2019-01-23 Last updated: 2021-07-02 Latest status update: 2021-05-02 2297. Adilbek Tusip (艾迪力别克·吐苏甫)
Chinese ID: 654222195510025117 (Wusu)
Basic info
Age: 63 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1+3: Barbolsyn Aitzhan, born on July 28, 1952, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. Her ID number is 038737403.
Testimony 2: Kamai Tabarak, born in 1989 in China, citizen of Kazakhstan since 2011.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1+3: in-law
Testimony 2: uncle
About the victim
Adilbek Tusip is a Chinese citizen. He owns a house in Kazakhstan.
Address: Kulie/Kuliedui village (库列队村) 10, Bayingou pasture (巴音沟牧场), Wusu municipality, Tacheng region, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
His Kazakhstan residence permit number is 025957423.
Victim's location
[In Tacheng, presumably.]
When victim was detained
September 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
--- Victim's status
Testimony 1: released from a camp in January 2019, now is under forced labour and gets paid 40 RMB a month
Testimony 2: sent to a labour camp in December 2018
Testimony 3: not allowed to return to Kazakhstan.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Zhenisgul Azyhan (2923)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek21O0joBFo Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jocmRtw9ktc Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKe6Mj0ljZ8 Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/2297_4.png
Entry created: 2019-01-24 Last updated: 2019-08-16 Latest status update: 2019-07-22 2298. Zhenishan Azihan
Chinese ID: 65420219700302??E? (Wusu)
Basic info
Age: 48 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Barbolsyn Aitzhan, born on July 28, 1952, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. Her ID number is 038737403.
Victim's relation to testifier in-law
About the victim
Zhenis'han Azihan, born on March 2, 1970, is a Chinese citizen. Her passport number is E30545165.
Victim's location
Wusu, Tacheng region, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
When victim was detained
March 2018
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status released in January 2019 from the camp, but now is under forced labour, gets paid only 40 RMB a month
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information ---
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek21O0joBFo
Entry created: 2019-01-24 Last updated: 2019-01-24 Latest status update: 2019-01-24 2378. Qaisar Qazylhan
Chinese ID: 652222199809120414 (Barkol)
Basic info
Age: 20 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Hami Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Qazylhan Qadyl, born on January 15, 1970, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. His ID number is 043628665.
Victim's relation to testifier son
About the victim
Qaisar Qazylhan, born on September 12, 1998, is a Chinese citizen. His ID number is 652222199809120414. He was detained on the border on February 4, 2018, when he was heading for Kazakhstan and put into a camp. He was released from the camp on December 24, 2018, and recruited by the village as a guard for two months. Although he was promised to get paid 2000 RMB a month, he still did not get a penny from them.
Victim's location
Barkol county, Hami region
When victim was detained
February 4, 2018
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status released from the camp on December 24, 2018
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwDITmC5IL8
Entry created: 2019-01-28 Last updated: 2019-01-28 Latest status update: 2019-01-28 2655. Amantai Tursynbek
Chinese ID: 65402119871112??O? (Ghulja County)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-2: Erkin Baidaulet, born on October 9, 1976, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. His ID number is 026465883.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-2: cousin
About the victim
Amantai Tursynbek, born on November 12, 1987, is a Chinese citizen.
Victim's location
Dolan village [probably: Dolan Farm], Yining county, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture
When victim was detained october 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Testimony 1: released from the camp in November 2018 to a factory
Testimony 2: during a conversation with his father, Erkin got information that Amantai is in a routine of staying in camp for 5 days and then at home for 2 days. This weekly routine seems to indicate that Amantai is working in a forced labour factory. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvPCWcQhfbA Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr2-HijiJG4
Entry created: 2019-02-09 Last updated: 2021-01-08 Latest status update: 2019-01-29 2755. Eli Imin (艾力·依明)
Chinese ID: 653226??????????O? (Keriye)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
H.
Victim's relation to testifier information publicly available
About the victim name: Ali Imin (艾力·依明) gender: male ethnicity: probably Uyghur place of origin: Hotan, Yutian county, Xiwule township (于田县西吾勒乡) occupation: now packing tea in a factory
He entered the “Vocational Education Centre” in July 2017 and works in the brick tea factory of the Centre. He packs tea leaves. His wife is Ruqiyem Abdukadir (肉克亚木·阿布都卡迪尔) and is working together with him in the Centre/factory. They supposedly earn 4000RMB/month (in another article, he says that he makes 1500/month). They live on-site in an apartment provided by the factory/Centre.
Victim's location
Brick tea factory of “Yutian county Vocational Education Centre” (于田县职业技能教育培训中心的砖茶厂)
When victim was detained
July 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention religious extremism Victim's status in a factory attached to a "re-education" camp
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? http://news.gzw.net/jiaoyu/1318719.shtml (published 2 NOV 2018) http://www.chinaxinjiang.cn/zixun/xjxw/201811/t20181106_571417.htm (6 NOV 2018)
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Ruqiyem Abduqadir (2756)
Entry created: 2019-02-16 Last updated: 2019-06-05 Latest status update: 2018-11-06 2756. Ruqiyem Abduqadir (肉克亚木·阿布都卡迪尔)
Chinese ID: 653226??????????E? (Keriye)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
H.
Victim's relation to testifier information publicly available
About the victim name: Ruqiyem Abdukadir (肉克亚木·阿布都卡迪尔) gender: female ethnicity: probably Uyghur place of origin: Hotan, Yutian county, Xiwule township (于田县西吾勒乡) occupation: now packing tea in a factory location detention: Brick tea factory of “Yutian county Vocational Education Centre” (于田县职业技能教育培训中心的砖茶厂)
She entered the “Vocational Education Centre” in July 2017 and works in the brick tea factory of the Centre. She packs tea leaves. Her husband is Ali Imin (艾力·依明) who is working together with her in the “Centre”’s factory. They supposedly earn 4000RMB/month. They live on-site in an apartment provided by the factory/"Centre".
Victim's location
Brick tea factory of “Yutian county Vocational Education Centre” (于田县职业技能教育培训中心的砖茶厂)
When victim was detained
July 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention religious extremism Victim's status in a factory attached to a "re-education" camp
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? http://news.gzw.net/jiaoyu/1318719.shtml (published 2 NOV 2018)
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Eli Imin (2755)
Entry created: 2019-02-16 Last updated: 2019-02-16 Latest status update: 2019-02-16 2845. Muqeddes Erkin (穆科代斯·艾尔肯)
Chinese ID: 65310119????????E? (Kashgar)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Kashgar Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
H.
Victim's relation to testifier information publicly available
About the victim name: Mukaddas Erkin (穆科代斯·艾尔肯) gender: female ethnicity: Uyghur
She is one of the first graduates (毕业生) of Kashgar “training centre” (喀什市职业技能教育培训中心). She is now working as a skilled worker in Kashgar Shenzhen Industrial Park (喀什深圳工业园区内).
Victim's location probably Kashgar
When victim was detained unknown
Likely (or given) reason for detention unknown
Victim's status released from "re-education" camp, working. Unclear if this is forced work placement or voluntary. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-11/05/c_1123667476.htm (published 5 NOV 2018) http://www.cnrmz.cn/mzyw/201811/t20181107_1288771.html
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2019-02-23 Last updated: 2019-11-21 Latest status update: 2019-02-23 2846. Buraziye Memettohti (布威热则耶·麦麦提托合提)
Chinese ID: 65320119????????E? (Hotan City)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: student
Testifying party
H.
Victim's relation to testifier information publicly available
About the victim name: Buraziye Memettohti (布威热则耶·麦麦提托合提) gender: female ethnicity: Uyghur
After she graduated from the Hotan “training centre” (毕业后) she chose to work in a textile factory in Hotan city, Shorbagh Town, Gazong village (和田市肖尔巴格乡尕宗村). Now she is teaching other women in the textile factory how to sew clothes. She had already passed the university entrance exam (gaokao) and had been admitted to a university in inner China. Her father who had been influenced by “religious extremist thoughts”, did not let her go as he considered it useless for women to study. Under his influence, she started wearing a niqab and also started spreading “religious extremist thoughts”. Her husband entered the “training centre” with her and also learned skills.
Victim's location textile factory in Hotan city, Shorbagh Town, Gazong village (和田市肖尔巴格乡尕宗村)
When victim was detained unknown
Likely (or given) reason for detention probably "religious extremism" Victim's status released from "re-education" camp, now working in a factory
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018-11/05/c_1123667476.htm (published 5 NOV 2018) http://www.cnrmz.cn/mzyw/201811/t20181107_1288771.html
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2019-02-23 Last updated: 2019-11-21 Latest status update: 2019-02-23 2861. Amanzhol Toqan
Chinese ID: 6541211973??????O? (Ghulja County)
Basic info
Age: 45-46 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-3: Esenei Toqan Toqtiyaruly, born on April 20, 2000 in Ghulja, citizen of Kazakhstan since 2008.
Testimony 4: Baqytgul Aset, born on 14 September 1973, is now a Kazakhstan citizen.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-3: uncle
Testimony 4: unclear
About the victim
Amanzhol Toqan.
Address: Tuoxun village (托逊村) First Group, No. 37, Awuliya township (阿乌利亚乡), Yining county, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture
Victim's location
In Ghulja.
When victim was detained
Detained in early 2017, stayed a year and a half in a re-education camp. Transferred to forced labor in a chemical factory in Ghulja in June 2018.
Testimony 3: transferred to forced labor in July 2018.
Testimony 4: released from factory in March 2019. Likely (or given) reason for detention
Visiting Kazakhstan.
Victim's status works in a black factory
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Toqan Payzi (2859), Amangeldi Toqan (2860), Tileuqabyl Toqan (2862)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaucz5HOGko Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEOKKhJPpDo Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHXk_aO01r4 Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqQR5LILfls
Entry created: 2019-02-24 Last updated: 2019-12-09 Latest status update: 2019-11-04 2862. Tileuqabyl Toqan
Chinese ID: 654121198410152532 (Ghulja County)
Basic info
Age: 35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Ili Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): related to going abroad|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-3: Esenei Toqan Toqtiyaruly, born on April 20, 2000 in Ghulja, citizen of Kazakhstan since 2008.
Testimony 4: Baqytgul Aset, born on 14 September 1973, is now a Kazakhstan citizen.
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-3: uncle
Testimony 4: unclear
About the victim
Tileuqabyl Toqan.
Address: Tuoxun village (托逊村) First Group, No. 37, Awuliya township (阿乌利亚乡), Yining county, Ili Kazakh autonomous prefecture
Victim's location
In Ghulja.
When victim was detained
Detained in early 2017. Spent (nearly?) two years in a re-education camp before being transferred to forced labor in Ghulja's chemical factory in September 2018.
Testimony 4: released from factory in May 2019
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Visiting Kazakhstan. Victim's status works in a black factory
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Toqan Payzi (2859), Amangeldi Toqan (2860), Amanzhol Toqan (2861)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaucz5HOGko Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEOKKhJPpDo Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHXk_aO01r4 Testimony 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqQR5LILfls
Entry created: 2019-02-24 Last updated: 2019-12-09 Latest status update: 2019-11-04 2883. Nazigul Iskhan (娜孜古里·伊斯汗)
Chinese ID: 654201196501103526 (Chochek)
Basic info
Age: 54 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1: Sag‘it Erzhol, born on September 2, 1994 in Tacheng, citizen of Kazakhstan since 2018
Testimony 2: Ertai Sagit, born on October 12, 1990
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1: Mother
Testimony 2: unclear (probably mother)
About the victim
Nazigul Iskhan (娜孜古里*伊斯汗), born on January 10, 1965. Kazakhstan Residence permit no. 026668797. Left for China in 2017
Address: 64 Township Household (乡直), Qiaxia township (恰夏乡), Tacheng municipality
Victim's location
[Presumably in Tacheng.]
When victim was detained
Documents confiscated in August 2017 (Testimony 2 says July 31) when she was attempting to go back to Kazakhstan. Sent to a concentration camp in December 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear
Victim's status Released from camp in December 2018 and assigned work as a teacher in Tacheng.
She has some health issues owing to having undergone several operations in the past.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNm2fupZlsU Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELN_EoJUj2k Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/2883_3.png
Entry created: 2019-02-26 Last updated: 2019-07-22 Latest status update: 2019-02-08 2923. Zhenisgul Azyhan (杰恩斯古丽·阿孜汗)
Chinese ID: 65422319700302342X (Shawan)
Basic info
Age: 48 Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Testimony 1-2: Kamai Tabarak, born in 1989 in China, citizen of Kazakhstan since 2011
Victim's relation to testifier
Testimony 1-2: Uncle’s wife
About the victim
Zhenisgul Azyhan (杰恩斯古丽*阿孜汗), wife of victim Adilbek Tusip. Holds a Kazakhstani residence permit.
Address: Kulie/Kuliedui village (库列队村) 10, Bayingou pasture (巴音沟牧场), Wusu municipality, Tacheng region, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, China
Victim's location
[In Tacheng, presumably.]
When victim was detained
Her documents were first confiscated in September 2017 when she went back from Kazakhstan. She was taken to the camps in March next year.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Transferred to a forced labour camp in late 2018 How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Adilbek Tusip (2297)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jocmRtw9ktc Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqQaG0WYXIE Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/2923_3.png
Entry created: 2019-03-03 Last updated: 2021-01-15 Latest status update: 2019-02-14 2940. Marat Ishakov
Chinese ID: 6501??19820109??O? (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 37 Gender: M Ethnicity: Tatar Likely current location: Urumqi Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: Oct. 2018 - Dec. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: education
Testifying party
[The testifier has chosen to remain anonymous, presenting themselves as "Mmm". However, shahit.biz has confirmed their identity and can vouch for their authenticity. This testimony has also been bolstered by information obtained through the victim's relatives and web research.]
Victim's relation to testifier
The victim is my friend and former classmate.
About the victim
Marat Ishakov, an ethnic Tatar, was a Chinese-language teacher at the No. 14 high school in Urumqi. He had previously studied Russian in Kazan (Tatarstan), in addition to studying communications engineering at Xinjiang University. He's married to an ethnic Uyghur, Sayyora, and the couple have an 8-year-old [as of June 2019] son, Ilfat.
His grandfather, Asgat Iskhakov, served in the national army of the second East Turkestan Republic, prior to joining the PRC's forces. His great uncle, Margub Iskhakov, was a founder of the East Turkestan Republic army, prior to joining the PLA and then leaving (perhaps, fleeing) to the Soviet Union in 1960.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Urumqi.]
When victim was detained
Taken to a camp in late November 2018. In mid-2019, he was released and transferred to some sort of forced job placement.
On October 27, 2019, he announced in a WeChat post that he had "completely" (彻底) returned home.
Likely (or given) reason for detention ---
Victim's status
After his release from camp, he was reported as being in some sort of forced job placement, which appears to have had him doing computer-related work, perhaps administrative in nature. It sounds like he was occasionally allowed 3 days off to go home and be with his family. It is not clear if the job was paid or not. However, in late October 2019, he announced that he had "completely" returned home, suggesting that perhaps this job terminated and he is now more free.
[Testifier mentions that he was in good health at the time of the arrest.]
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
From his relatives and friends living abroad.
Additional information
This victim is included in the list of prominent detained Uyghurs (and other ethnic minorities), available at: shahit.biz/supp/list_003.pdf.
His case has also been written about in detail in: https://centralasiaprogram.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Kasikci-CAP-Paper-219-June-2019.pdf
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19zydWquTno victim's Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https://web.facebook.com/marat.iskhakov/posts/10203 906836332834:0&width=300 photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/2940_1.png WeChat post after release: https://shahit.biz/supp/2940_3.png photo with friends (post release): https://shahit.biz/supp/2940_5.jpg WeChat post after "full" release: https://shahit.biz/supp/2940_6.png
Entry created: 2019-03-04 Last updated: 2019-07-19 Latest status update: 2019-10-27 3083. Tursunay Abdugheni (图尔荪阿依·阿卜杜艾尼)
Chinese ID: 65320119????????E? (Hotan City)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
H.
Victim's relation to testifier information publicly available
About the victim name: Tursunay Abdugheni (图尔荪阿依*阿卜杜艾尼) gender: female ethnicity: Uyghur
Journalists visiting the "Vocational Education Training Centre" in Hotan spoke to Tursunay Abdugheni. She used to be in the "Vocational Education Training Centre" in Hotan (新疆和田市的职业技能教育培训中心), but she was released two month ago (around July 2018). She learned sewing and now she is working in a satellite factory (卫星工厂) in Gaizong village (尕宗村) as a quality controler.
Victim's location
Gaizong village (尕宗村)
When victim was detained unknown
Likely (or given) reason for detention unknown
Victim's status works in a factory
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? https://www.guancha.cn/society/2018_10_16_475702_2.shtml (published 16 OCT 2018)
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2019-03-18 Last updated: 2019-03-18 Latest status update: 2018-10-16 3156. Abduweli Tohti Arish (阿布都外力·托合提阿日西)
Chinese ID: 653125198902060014 (Yarkand)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: engineer
Testifying party (* direct submission)
Testimony 1*|2|3|4|5: Abdulla Tohti Arish, originally from Yarkand but now living in Germany. (brother)
Testimony 6: Abdulla Tohti Arish, as reported by Globe and Mail. (brother)
Testimony 7: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Abduweli Tohti Arish got his computer science bachelor's degree in 2012 from the Xinjiang Finance & Economics University, after which he went to work on the Rawan Yol Uyghur GPS system for the Qaratal International Trade LLC in Urumqi. He was a software engineer and technical executive there.
Victim's location
In Urumqi.
When victim was detained
Taken to a camp in October 2017. As his brother learned in late 2019, he would later be transferred to a clothing factory outside Urumqi, where he would work entire weeks, only going home on Saturday and returning on Sunday. His brother wrote that he allegedly made 50 items of clothes per day.
In early fall 2020, he was able to switch to living at home and working at a supermarket in Urumqi, after a well-connected relative sponsored him.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
His brother writes that he was detained for being "born in East Turkistan, born as an Uyghur, and born as a Muslim".
Victim's status Still in forced job placement.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
News of the detention were obtained through a Han Chinese friend.
Additional information
Globe and Mail mention: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-china-denies-the-use-of-forced-labour-in-this-industrial- park-but-wont/
RFA mention: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/newzealand-shooter-03182019143130.html
He is listed as a supervisor at the Abruy company in Urumqi: https://archive.vn/HZ1bl
Victims among relatives
Tohti Muhemmed Arish (3155), Hesen Ghopur (4657), Esqer Ehet (5486), Ruqiye Jappar (3157), Hanqiz Momin (4659), Abdurahman Ghopur (4658), Ehet Hesen (4660)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X3u4Kas8Uc Testimony 3: https://twitter.com/Googoom1/status/1107591547753779200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Testimony 4: https://twitter.com/Googoom1/status/1209895268398829570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Testimony 5: https://twitter.com/Googoom1/status/1212124736479739905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw registration + ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/3156_2.jpg
Entry created: 2019-03-21 Last updated: 2021-04-17 Latest status update: 2020-12-10 3434. Humargul Abdusattar
Chinese ID: 65310119????????E? (Kashgar)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Kashgar Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
CCTV interview
Victim's relation to testifier
-
About the victim
Humargul Abdulsattar (胡马古•阿不都沙塔尔）, a 20 years old Uyghur chosen by the CCTV for an interview seeking to promote a positive image of re-education camps. She claims to have been influenced by "extremist thoughts" from early childhood.
She watched religious extremist videos and spread extremist thoughts (probably when she was a teenager, Chin : 十几岁). She has previously been to the Vocational Education Training Centre in Kashgar city (喀什市职业技能教育培训中心), but has already « graduated ». She has found a job in the economic development zone of Kashgar city (喀什市经济开发区) in a textile factory making clothes. She goes home everyday after work.
Victim's location
Kashgar
When victim was detained
Unclear
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Watching illegal content on the internet, or as Humargul put it, "breaking the country's cybersecurity law". She also claims to have worn a headscarf and abaya.
In the documentary: for having watched religious extremist videos and spread extremist thoughts. Victim's status
She now seems to be a team leader in a tailoring factory - a satellite factory (卫星工厂) in Nezerbagh township (乃则尔巴格镇), Kashgar municipality.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? video : http://tv.cntv.cn/video/VSET100316111419/02957c0f88774f7a9c9b50164a481a61 also available: https://www.bilibili.com/video/av46820306/ news article based on the video : http://news.ts.cn/system/2019/03/20/035607848.shtml also available at : http://news.ifeng.com/a/20190320/60500856_0.shtml (published 20 MAR 2019) also mentioned in: http://www.ijiandao.com/2b/baijia/200567.html
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials
CCTV interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skWx4jQfGZ8 propaganda documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xyMloesl58 still from documentary: https://shahit.biz/supp/3434_3.jpg state-media interview still: https://shahit.biz/supp/3434_4.jpg
Entry created: 2019-04-02 Last updated: 2019-06-15 Latest status update: 2019-04-02 3652. Shalqar Adilhan (恰力哈·阿得尔汉)
Chinese ID: 654201198111220419 (Chochek)
Basic info
Age: 37 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Tacheng Status: forced job placement When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|other Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3: Gulnar Qasymzhan, born in 1952, is now a citizen of Kazakhstan. (mother)
About the victim
Shalqar Adilhan (恰力哈*阿得尔汗), a father of one.
Address: Tacheng City, Baigetuobie Street (拜格托别街) 48
Passport no. G30840848.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Tacheng.]
When victim was detained
May 5, 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
He was planning to move to Kazakhstan and had sold his house in China before buying one in Kazakhstan. That was the reason for his detention: the officials accused him of “transferring money from China to Kazakhstan” in this way
Victim's status
Released on January 3 [2019] and assigned to work as a neighborhood security guard (Testimony 1: unpaid)
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? Not stated
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMhjYSDylDo Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd1rIS5TFAU Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giKJgBZ_1b0 Chinese passport: https://shahit.biz/supp/3652_3.png Chinese ID card: https://shahit.biz/supp/3652_4.png
Entry created: 2019-04-19 Last updated: 2020-02-25 Latest status update: 2019-01-21 3932. Qurmangazhy Shoqan
Chinese ID: 65432219920605??O? (Koktokay)
Basic info
Age: 26 Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: Altay Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Masigut Murat, born on February 17, 1981, is now a Kazakhstan citizen.
Victim's relation to testifier brother-in-law
About the victim
Qurmangazhy Shoqan, born on June 5, 1992, is a Chinese citizen.
Address: Supty village, Koktogay county, Altay region
Victim's location
In Supty village.
When victim was detained
March 17, 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status released from the camp on December 24, 2018 and is now working in the community in Supty village
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated Additional information
---
Supplementary materials video testimony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1zMM_MpoI
Entry created: 2019-04-29 Last updated: 2019-06-20 Latest status update: 2019-01-12 4079. Ibrahim Ayup
Chinese ID: 653122199003200015 (Shule)
Basic info
Age: 30 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: art & literature
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2: Ilham Ayup, a scientist living in Germany. (brother)
About the victim
Ibrahim Ayup holds a bachelor's degree in film directing from the Xinjiang Arts Institute in Urumqi.
ID address: 76/78 [illegible] Unity Road, Tianshan District, Urumqi (乌鲁木齐市天山区团结路76/78号).
Victim's location
[Presumably in Urumqi.]
When victim was detained
Ibrahim was detained at the end of 2017 and was held in a concentration camp.
In May 2020, Ibrahim's brother shared that Ibrahim had been moved to a textile factory, where he has been forced to work.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Performing forced labor in a textile factory.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Not stated. Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Ayup Qurban (4078), Muhter Nesirdin (14274), Abdulla Muhter (14275)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https://www.facebook.com/1474927094/videos/1021 2562097075466/&show_text=1&width=300 Testimony 2: https://twitter.com/ilham_ayup/status/1267224838734831616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Chinese ID: https://shahit.biz/supp/4079_3.png
Entry created: 2019-05-16 Last updated: 2020-12-12 Latest status update: 2020-06-01 4681. Elijan Mesadi (艾力江·买赛迪)
Chinese ID: 653226??????????O? (Keriye)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
J. Bagdonas, database volunteer
Victim's relation to testifier
N/A
About the victim
Elijan Masad (艾力江·买赛迪)
Victim's location
Yutian county, Hotan prefecture
When victim was detained
Unknown
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Seems to have been assigned some sort of factory work after camp (he says he makes 2800 yuan a month)
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Information publicly available: http://www.ijiandao.com/2b/baijia/200567.html Additional information
---
Supplementary materials state-media interview still: https://shahit.biz/supp/4681_1.jpg
Entry created: 2019-06-14 Last updated: 2019-06-14 Latest status update: 2019-01-01 4965. Abdusalam Muhemmed
Chinese ID: 652101198202201830 (Turpan)
Basic info
Age: 38 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Turpan Status: no news for over a year When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: farmwork, herding
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3: Muherrem Muhemmed'eli, originally from Turpan but now living and working in Japan. (nephew)
About the victim
Abdusalam Muhemmed is a farmer.
Address: No. 2 Group, Bulaq Village, Uzumchilik (Putao) Town, Turpan City.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Turpan.]
When victim was detained
Detained at the end of 2017 [presumably taken to camp]. Released in early 2019, but assigned a job somewhere in Turpan.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
As of his release from camp, he was in forced job placement, with movements restricted. However, there have been no news since the summer of 2019.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
[Presumably through friends/relatives in the region.] Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Muhemmedeli Tursun (4958), Mehmud Muhemmet (4964), Abdurahman Memet (5052), Ayshemhan Yasin (4957), Memet Ismayil (4959), Ehmed Muhemmed (4960), Nureli Ehmed (4961), Omer Ehmed (4962), Nurislam Ehmed (4963)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDmAMami3zc Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qks7ba8zjtY
Entry created: 2019-07-08 Last updated: 2020-11-12 Latest status update: 2020-11-07 5086. Dilnur Abdurehim
Chinese ID: 6501??19????????E? (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 35-55 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2017 - Mar. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: medicine
Testifying party
Gulnur Idris, as reported by Australian Broadcasting Corporation. (sister)
About the victim name: Dilnur Abdurehim (from work id: 地丽努尔*阿不都, the rest of her last name is cut off) age: 38 (as of 17 June 2019) profession: nurse, had worked for several years at the hospital attached to Xinjiang Medical University
Victim's location
According to her work ID card, she works in a textile company called Urumqi Shengshi Huaer Culture Technology Co. (乌鲁木齐市盛世花儿文化科技有限公司), located in a technology park 30km north of Urumchi. She was transferred there against her will in May 2019.
When victim was detained
In February 2017, she and her husband were both arrested and sent to a "re-education" camp.
Likely (or given) reason for detention not stated
Victim's status working and living against her will in a factory
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
In June 2019, she called her sister Gülnur Idreis in Australia by video chat. Dilnur asked her sister to make her story public, showing written notes into the camera, fearing the call might be monitored. According to Gülnur, Dilnur looked "very exhausted and emotionally very distressed", motioning that she wanted to end her life. Dilnur sleeps in the factory dormitory is only allowed home to see her two underage children and her parents once per week. Her husband is still missing.
Additional information
Coverage:
4corner video 'tell the world' : https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/tell-the-world/11311228 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-03/the-art-of-the-tour-xinjiang-north-korea-khmer-rouge/1136536 8 (3 AUG 2019) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-15/uyghur-forced-labour-xinjiang-china/11298750 (17 JUL 2019)
Company info: https://www.11467.com/qiye/87270304.htm company phone number: +86 15199088185 company email: [email protected]
Supplementary materials
4corners documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-axd1Ht_J8 work ID card: https://shahit.biz/supp/5086_1.png photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/5086_3.png notes: https://shahit.biz/supp/5086_4.png
Entry created: 2019-08-04 Last updated: 2021-09-02 Latest status update: 2019-08-03 5311. Abduweli Kebayir
Chinese ID: 653221199???????O? (Hotan County)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): related to religion|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/world/asia/china-xinjiang-muslim-detention.html
Victim's relation to testifier
None
About the victim
Abduweli Kebayir, a 25-year-old "graduate" from a re-education camp in Hotan. He was interviewed by NYT under supervision from Chinese officials.
Victim's location
Harmony New Village, Hotan prefecture [presumably in Hotan County, judging by internet search for 和谐新村]
When victim was detained
Unclear
Likely (or given) reason for detention
According to Abduweli, for watching Islamic videos and being closed off from society
Victim's status
Seems to have been released from camp in the Hotan Economic Zone, but his "home" where the interview took place did not seem like an accommodation where people had been living and was empty several hours after the meeting. He mentioned he now earns about 2100 yuan in shoemaking, which suggests continuing forced labor. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Interview
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials family photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/5311_1.png
Entry created: 2019-09-24 Last updated: 2021-03-16 Latest status update: 2019-08-09 5320. Gulhumar Turdi
Chinese ID: 652922??????????E? (Onsu)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): related to religion|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party (submitted by third party)
Olsi Jazexhi, an Albanian-Canadian journalist who was invited for a tour by the Chinese government around the re-education camps in Wensu, Aksu prefecture
Victim's relation to testifier
None
About the victim
Guluqmar Turdi, a young Uyghur.
Victim's location
Wensu county, Aksu prefecture
When victim was detained
Sometime in the first half of 2018
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Attending a religious course in 2014 and praying at home.
Victim's status
In re-education camp. She still expects to be sent to a work camp in the future.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
By personally interviewing her, via a state-appointed interpreter. Additional information
Now she says she doesn’t pray because she has “learned the law of China and enjoys her freedom to believe or not to believe” She says she is released home every Sunday, and allowed 3 days out of the camp for Eid-Al-Fitr.
Supplementary materials
Olsi's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp5y9LCZqTA
Entry created: 2019-09-28 Last updated: 2019-09-29 Latest status update: 2019-08-20 5463. Abdurup Selimhaji
Chinese ID: 65????19????????O? (---)
Basic info
Age: 35-55 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: --- Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Zulpiye Selimhaji, a resident of Australia. (sister)
About the victim
Abdurup Silimhaji is an Uyghur man who was 51 years old as of 29 September 2020.
Testimony 2: he is a father of two.
Victim's location
---
When victim was detained
The victim was first detained at a concentration camp for more than a year [precise location and dates unspecified]. He was released from that concentration camp and was later taken to an unspecified factory by Chinese authorities; he is currently being subjected to a forced labour program at that factory. The testifier has apparently not been informed about the victim's whereabouts.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
The victim is currently being subjected to a forced labour program at an unknown factory, after having been taken there by Chinese authorities.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Unclear. (Testimony 2: testifier has not spoken to him for over 4 years.)
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives
Ilyar Setiwaldi (12924), Dilmurat Qeyyum (12926)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZTTVPbZigs Testimony 1: https://twitter.com/Zulfia72386612/status/1310995013682237442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/5463_2.jpg
Entry created: 2021-02-11 Last updated: 2021-05-29 Latest status update: 2020-11-16 5705. Madiar Zhumaqan
Chinese ID: 65????19????????O? (place of origin unclear)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: --- Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2: Alipbek Zhumaqan, born in 1980, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. (brother)
About the victim
Madiar Zhumaqan
Victim's location not stated
When victim was detained
July 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status released to forced labour in November 2018
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information because of the forced labour, he is suffering health issues
Victims among relatives Nesipbek Zhumaqan (5706)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plRSs10w_vY Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39wjpt8b8FY
Entry created: 2019-12-06 Last updated: 2019-12-06 Latest status update: 2020-01-04 5706. Nesipbek Zhumaqan
Chinese ID: 65????19????????O? (place of origin unclear)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: --- Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2: Alipbek Zhumaqan, born in 1980, is now a Kazakhstan citizen. (brother)
About the victim
Nesipbek Zhumaqan
Victim's location not stated
When victim was detained
July 2017
Likely (or given) reason for detention not stated
Victim's status released to forced labour in November 2018
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? not stated
Additional information
---
Victims among relatives Madiar Zhumaqan (5705)
Supplementary materials
Testimony 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plRSs10w_vY Testimony 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39wjpt8b8FY
Entry created: 2019-12-06 Last updated: 2019-12-06 Latest status update: 2020-01-04 8487. Abdusemet Abdurahman
Chinese ID: 653222199010240299 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 29 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|past "transgressions" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: China Daily, an English-language daily newspaper owned by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China and published in the People's Republic of China.
Testimony 2: The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abudsaimaiti Abdureheman is a 30 years old Uyghur from Moyu County. According to state-run media, he currently works as an auto repair technician at a driving school.
Multiple Mandarin spellings of his name are given: 阿卜杜赛麦提·阿卜杜热合曼 (Testimony 2), 阿卜杜赛麦提·阿卜都热合曼 (Testimony 1), 阿卜杜赛买提·阿卜杜热合曼 (Testimony 1)
His ID number as reported in the Qaraqash list: 653222199010240299 (in his alleged work contract as shown in the China Daily report, this number is written incorrectly as 653222199010240240299).
Testimony 2:
Address: House No. 220, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片区220号).
Household registration address: House No. 55, Group No. 1, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村1组55号).
Victim's location
[Presumably at home in Qaraqash.]
When victim was detained
Testimony 1: Unclear, spent time in camps/vocational program and was released. Testimony 2: Taken to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (unclear when), then approved to be transferred for work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 2: Having served a full "medium-level" sentence.
Victim's status
Testimony 1: "Free"
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 1: The China Daily report has the victim himself talk in front of the camera. [However, the fact that he addresses Adrian Zenz and recent Western media reports - blocked in China - and generally appears to be reading his lines do not make this a genuine "eyewitness" testimony.]
Testimony 2: this is an official government document.
Additional information
Abudsaimaiti Abdureheman appears in a video posted by the state-run media outlet China Daily. In it, he says that he learned job skills in the "vocational education and training center" and hopes to open his own driving school. He is filmed alongside his wife, child, and an older relative. https://twitter.com/ChinaDaily/status/1231511516102291456
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Testimony 2:
Excerpts from local government reports about the victim:
"Has spent the required time in the training center. His relatives actively cooperate with the neighorhood administration. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Supplementary materials
China Daily tweet: https://twitter.com/ChinaDaily/status/1231511516102291456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw China Daily report: https://shahit.biz/supp/8487_2.mp4
Entry created: 2020-04-18 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2020-02-23 9776. Obul Qadir
Chinese ID: 653222197903010010 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 40 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"violating birth policies", related to going abroad Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Obul Qadir (potential Mandarin spelling: 奥布力·喀迪尔).
Address: Apt. 505, Entrance No. 1, 28 Luyin Alley, West Yipbazar Road (依甫巴扎西路绿荫巷28号1单元505室).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (March 12, 2018). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Having 2 children more than allowed by the family planning policy. 2) Applying for a passport (did not leave the country).
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Obul Qadir's thinking is stable. He actively participates in activities. Agreed to transfer to work in the industrial area."
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9777. Hebir Rejep
Chinese ID: 653222197903114071 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Hebir Rejep (potential Mandarin spelling: 海比尔·热杰普).
Address: 11 Shatliq Road (夏特勒克路11号).
Household registration address: House No. 158, Group No. 3, Konasheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇阔纳协海尔村3组158号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp on May 23, 2017, where he studied in Class 817. 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Having 2 children more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Hebir Rejep's relatives cooperate with the neighborhood administration, their mindset is stable. Hebir Rejep is not a threat. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Ablimit Rejep (10205), Abliz Rejep (10204), Rozimemet Turdi (9914)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9781. Tohti Yimit (托合提·伊米提)
Chinese ID: 653222198401093359 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad, "registration issues" Health status: --- Profession: medicine
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Tohti Yimit ran the Teklimakan pharmacy, next to the Qaraqash County National Tax Bureau.
Address: 610 Huanggong Mansion, Yuhua Community (玉华社区皇宫大厦610室).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Taken into custody (time unclear). 2) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (October 20, 2017). 3) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Visiting some of the "26 suspicious countries" a total of 5 times after obtaining a passport in Anhui Province. 2) Transferring his household registration to inner China while still living in Qaraqash.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
He is marked as being kept under armed supervision (强管). How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Business listing of his pharmacy: https://web.archive.org/web/20200902145933/https://www.qcc.com/firm/266c50353c8989c74f9eddf4a1 d0b289.html Business listing of his brother's medical company, in which he is the largest shareholder: https://web.archive.org/web/20200902150321/https://www.qcc.com/firm/9e4ae70028b0fd598a19cd5372 a5d260.html
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Recommended to transfer to work in the industrial area, but graduation is not approved.
Reasons:
1. Tohti Yimit moved his household registration to Anhui (安徽省太和县经济开发区回民社区105国道太豪路东侧603号) in December 2014. He applied for a passport in Anhui and then left the country 5 times to visit 'focus' countries, overstaying. After coming back, he lived in Hotan.
Travel record:
1) From 2015/08/21 to 2015/10/06, stayed in United Arab Emirates. 2) From 2016/02/04 to 2016/02/24, travelled to Saudi Arabia. 3) From 2016/06/03 to 2016 06/10, travelled to Saudi Arabia. 4) From 2016/06/26 to 2016/07/12, travelled to United Arab Emirates. 5) From 2016/09/02 to 2016/09/25, travelled to Saudi Arabia.
In July 2018, he took one day of leave to go to the tax bureau. He was reported after swiping his ID card at the bureau."
Victims among relatives
Tursunmemet Yimit (9803)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9782. Tohtiwaqi Memettohti (托合提瓦柯·麦麦提托合提)
Chinese ID: 653222198404173274 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 34 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|past "transgressions" Health status: --- Profession: culinary
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Tohtiwaqi Memettohti ran the Dilarem plov restaurant together with his wife, Tursungul. He had previously worked at a restaurant in Urumqi (during the time of the July 5 incident).
Address: 11 Boshtelek Road, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区波夏特勒克路11号).
Household registration address: 97 Yultuz Alley, Shatliq Road (夏提勒克路尤勒图孜巷97号).
Victim's location
At the Qaraqash County No. 1 "training center".
When victim was detained
He had previously been detained at the time of the July 5, 2009 incident in Urumqi. At that time, he was taken by the Yuejinggai (月井盖) public security bureau in Urumqi for interrogation, then transferred to the No. 2 station of the Hotan public security bureau, where he would be questioned for 17 days before being transferred to the Qaraqash public security bureau and released.
On October 17, 2017, he was sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp, where he was held in Class 905.
In the spring of 2019 [around March, presumably], the local authorities recommended that he be transferred to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Being "associated with the Urumqi riots of July 5, 2009". Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
The plov restaurant's business listing: https://web.archive.org/web/20200902151802/https://www.qcc.com/firm/8e5af85092aeea914feb582c96 220211.html
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Tohtiwaqi Memettohti's relatives have their own business and claim that they are too busy to cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Family performance is average. Tohtiwaqi Memettohti belongs to the 'armed supervision' class of students. Continue training."
"His relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. It is recommended to graduate Tohtiwaqi Memettohti for work in the industrial area."
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9783. Abdurehim Abdugheni
Chinese ID: 653222198505270276 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 33 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad, "violating birth policies" Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abdurehim Abdugheni (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜热伊木·阿卜杜艾尼).
Address: House No. 90, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片区90号).
Household registration address: House No. 123, Group No. 1, Yengisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村1组123号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (May 21, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Applying for a passport (did not leave the country). 2) Having 1 child more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. He has a disability.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
His brothers own dental clinics in Urumqi: https://web.archive.org/web/20200902154323/https://www.qcc.com/firm/8fea820159b9a5959b82f935dd a0832d.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200902154327/https://www.qcc.com/firm/78eb485ec6b47f4204cbe056b9 013108.html
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"His relatives' performance is quite good, they actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. No current danger. Abdurehim Abdugheni has a disability. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Qedirnisa Abdugheni (10362)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9784. Memettohti Kamal
Chinese ID: 653222198511230270 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 33 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad, "untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Memettohti Kamal (potential Mandarin spelling: 麦麦提托合提·佧马力).
Address: House No. 100, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二网格100号).
Household registration address: House No. 233, Group No. 3, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村3组233号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (June 5, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Applying for a passport (did not leave the country). 2) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Likely business listing of his and his wife's noodle shop: https://web.archive.org/web/20200902155141/https://www.qcc.com/firm/cedc2af82389e4b6cfb37e1d9c1 81dec.html
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Memettohti Kamal's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Recommended to work in the industrial area."
"Graduation approved."
Victims among relatives
Emer Kamal (9829), Hesen Kamal (10215)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9793. Yusupeli Rejep
Chinese ID: 653222199004240292 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 28 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Yusupeli Rejep (potential Mandarin spelling: 玉苏普艾力·热杰普).
Address: House No. 107, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区2网格107号).
Household registration address: No. 163, Group No. 3, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村3组163号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (May 28, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1990s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
What is likely his brother's naan shop: https://archive.vn/eWY7D
The government document mentions Yusup'eli's performance at the camp, where he received 83 and 93 points on the standardized exams (relatively high scores).
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9812. Abdumilik Jappar
Chinese ID: 653222196704110276 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 51 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad, other, "violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: medicine
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abdumilik Jappar (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜米力克·加帕尔) was a doctor at the Aixin Hospital in the Qaraqash Municipality.
Address: 2 Harmony Alley, Mingzhu Community (墨玉县明珠社区和谐巷2号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (October 11, 2017). 2) Sent to work in the industrial area (time unclear).
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Visiting one of the "26 suspicious countries" (March-September 2016) and extending the maximum limit of his stay there by 128 days. 2) Having a "suspicious movement trajectory" after returning to China. 3) Having 1 child more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Working in an industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Abdumilik Jappar is suspicious because he visited 'sensitive' countries and did not come back on time. In March 2015, he moved his hukou from Qaraqash to Korla. In September 2016, he obtained a passport in Korla. Passport number: E61000449. He was in Saudi Arabia from 10-05-2016 to 16-09-2016 (staying for 128 days). After coming back, he remained in Qaraqash County for a long time. Abdumilik Jappar is a threat. It is suggested to continue training."
"Following a general analysis by the neighborhood administration, it was found that the relatives of the person in question are actively cooperating with the neighborhood administration. The person in question is currently working in the industrial area. Trustworthy."
Victims among relatives
Amine Jappar (9815), Abduqadir Jappar (10121)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9817. Batur Rejep
Chinese ID: 653222197109100270 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 47 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|other, "problematic thoughts", "problematic" association Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Batur Rejep (potential Mandarin spelling: 巴图尔·热杰普). He's an orphan.
Address: House No. 137, Group No. 1, Yengisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality / Hope Community (喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村1组137号/希望社区).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (April 12, 2017). 2) Recommended for release to work in the community.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Exhibiting "irregular movement". 2) Having thinking that is "difficult to grasp". 3) Having a "complicated network of relationships".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be released to work in the community [presumably forced]. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"None of the relatives were arrested or sent to training. No abnormalities were found. Recommended to transfer to work in society."
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9819. Abdujelil Kerimulla
Chinese ID: 653222197205200271 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 46 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|other, "violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
Testimony 2: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Abdujelil Kerimulla (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜杰力力·开日木拉).
Address: Hope Community (希望社区).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (time unclear). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Taking drugs (previous detention). 2) Having 1 child more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Abdujelil Kerimulla was caught taking drugs in 2014. He was forced to go for rehabilitation from 2015/01/04 to 2017/01/02 at Kashgar's rehabilitation center. His younger brother, Abduhelil Kerimulla, was arrested in March 2018 for possession of illegal items, and is currently being held at the Qaraqash Detention Center. Family is strongly religious."
"None of the family members are in prison or training. No abnormalities were found. Recommended to transfer to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Abduhelil Kerimulla (9871), Salamet Memetimin (10304), Omer Abduhelil (10114), Abdulla Abduhelil (10305)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9846. Adil Ababekri
Chinese ID: 653222199303120274 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 25 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|past "transgressions" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
Testimony 2: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Adil Ababekri (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿迪力·阿巴拜科日).
Residential address: House No. 13, Area 2, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区2网格13号).
Registered address: House No. 438, Kudung Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇库冬村438号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (May 8, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Having served a 1.5-year sentence in prison for [reason redacted for privacy reasons].
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Adil Ababekri and his brother look very much alike. When Adil Ababekri had to go to the training center, he asked his brother to go in his place. Adil Ababekri is a threat. Continue training."
"Adil Ababekri's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Seypidin Ababekri (10101), Ababekri Mehmut (10164)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2020-08-13 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9847. Hebibulla Abdukerim (艾比布拉·阿卜杜克热木)
Chinese ID: 653222199304060277 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 25 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: before 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|past "transgressions", "endangering state security" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
Testimony 2|3: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Hebibulla Abdukerim.
Address: 48 Jixiang Ninth Alley, Shatliq Road, Yengisheher Community (英协海尔社区夏特勒克路吉祥九号巷48号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sentenced to prison (2014). 2) Released from detention (June 2016). 3) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 3 camp (April 9, 2017). 4) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Being an "endangering-security person having served a prison sentence" (危安类刑满释放人员).
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
The victim is part of a WASFRY [presumably short for 危安释放人员, "endangering-security released persons"] police list, which marks him as being added to the iTap database on July 27, 2017.
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Hebibulla Abdukerim was sent to prison for two years in 2014 for possessing illegal religious materials. Released in June 2016. He can do better to admit his mistakes and express regret. Recommended to continue training."
"Hebibulla Abdukerim's thinking has changed greatly. Relatives' behavior is good. They admit their mistakes and express regret. No other illegal activity noted. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Abdulla Abdukerim (10364)
Entry created: 2020-08-13 Last updated: 2021-07-11 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9924. Memetniyaz Memet
Chinese ID: 653222197304090290 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 45 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Memetniyaz Memet (potential Mandarin spelling: 麦麦提尼亚孜·麦麦提).
Address: No. 159 Shatliq Road (夏特勒克路159号).
Household registration address: No. 399, Dushenbe Bazar, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇都先巴扎村399号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (time unclear). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Having 2 children more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Victims among relatives
Ibrahim Memetniyaz (10313)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9955. Ehmettohti Eysa
Chinese ID: 653222197802060318 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 41 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|challenging authority, contact with outside world, phone/computer Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Ehmettohti Eysa (potential Mandarin spelling: 艾合麦提托合提·艾萨).
Address: No. 339, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片区339号).
Household registration address: House No. 88, Group No. 2, Yengisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村2组88号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (July 1, 2017). 2) Approved for release from camp.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Disobeying a community manager. 2) Having his phone service cut as part of "Operation 9.13" (9.13断通联) [likely for using a VPN or foreign apps].
Victim's status Still in camp, but likely to be released.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Ehmettohti Eysa was sent to the No. 1 training center (Bostankol) on 2017/07/01 because he refused to comply with the community regulations. None of the relatives are arrested or in training. The relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration and attend activities on time. Ehmettohti Eysa is not a threat. Recommended to graduate to community supervision."
"Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9964. Memeteli Nurmemet
Chinese ID: 653222197904010039 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"two-faced" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Memeteli Nurmemet (potential Mandarin spelling: 麦麦提艾力·努尔麦麦提).
Address: Apt. 202, Entrance 2, Building 2, Yangguang Residential Area (阳光小区2栋2单元202号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Recruited as a camp teacher (time unclear). 2) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (time unclear). 3) Sent to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Being a "two-faced" official. 2) Exceeding the allowed vacation period while still a camp instructor.
Victim's status
Working in an industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Victims among relatives
Memetabdulla Nurmemet (10284), Horiqiz Memettursun (10360)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9965. Eli Ekber
Chinese ID: 653222197904030291 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 39 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|other, "violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Eli Ekber (potential Mandarin spelling: 艾力·艾科拜尔).
Address: No. 4, Alley 4, Xiaokang Road, Hope Community (希望社区小康路4巷4号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (April 4, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Having "suspicious movement trajectories". 2) Having 2 children more than allowed by the family planning policy.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Eli Ekber travelled abroad for 15 days. The family is strongly religious. Continue training."
"Apart from having a brother who has been arrested, no other abnormalities have been found. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Shirmuhemmet Hapiz (10196), Alim Turap (10197)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9972. Aminehan Ehmetniyaz
Chinese ID: 653222198008192908 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 38 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Aminehan Ehmetniyaz (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿米乃罕·艾合麦提尼亚孜).
Address: Yipbazar Community (依普巴扎社区).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (time unclear). 2) Sent to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Becoming "infected with extremist thoughts".
Victim's status
Working inside an industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"No additional problems found. Recommended to continue employment in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Nurmemet Rozimemet (9890)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9991. Hesenjan Memetimin
Chinese ID: 653222198206150274 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 36 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to going abroad, "untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Hesenjan Memetimin (potential Mandarin spelling: 艾散江·麦麦提伊敏).
Address: No. 12, Alley 4, Uzum Bazar Road (玉祖木巴扎路希望4巷12号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (May 29, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Applying for a passport. 2) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Hesenjan Memet'imin has 5 relatives. All have applied for passports with the intention of going abroad. Hesenjan is emotionally affected by his brother's paralysis, and has a resentful attitude towards society. The family is strongly religious. Recommended to continue the training."
"None of the relatives are arrested or in training, and no additional problems have surfaced. Recommended to transfer to the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Memettursun Memetimin (10241)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 9998. Roziheyit Memetimin
Chinese ID: 653222198307014677 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 35 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"violating birth policies" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Roziheyit Memetimin (potential Mandarin spelling: 如则艾提·麦麦提敏).
Address: Hope Community (希望社区).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (time unclear). 2) Recommended for release to work in the community.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Having 2 children more than allowed by the family planning policy. (The children are twins.)
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be released to work in the community [presumably forced].
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"None of the relatives are arrested, two are in training. No abnormalities have been found. Recommended to return home for employment."
Victims among relatives
Hudumberdi Memetimin (9872), Rejep Memetimin (10295)
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-08-14 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10005. Tohtimemet Tursun
Chinese ID: 653222198405050292 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 34 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Tohtimemet Tursun (potential Mandarin spelling: 托合提麦麦提·图尔荪).
Address: No. 10, Alley 241, North Bostan Road (波斯坦北路241号巷10号).
Household registration address: House No. 31, Group No. 3, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality (新疆墨玉县喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村3组31号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (May 20, 2017 / May 23, 2017 [discrepancy in reported dates may be due to time spent in detention center between initial detention and formal transfer]). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Victims among relatives
Rozimemet Tursun (9950)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10007. Memetniyaz Iminniyaz
Chinese ID: 653222198502040272 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 34 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person", related to going abroad Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Memetniyaz Iminniyaz (potential Mandarin spelling: 麦麦提尼亚孜·伊敏尼亚孜).
Address (registered/residential): House No. 45, Group No. 3, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality / No. 3, Area 1, Shatliq Community (喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村3组45号/夏特勒克社区一网格3号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (June 10, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s". 2) Applying for a passport.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10018. Omerjan Ababekri
Chinese ID: 65322219860320001X (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 32 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2018 - June 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|relative(s), "untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Omerjan Ababekri (potential Mandarin spelling: 约麦尔江·阿巴拜克日).
Address: Apt. 602, Entrance No. 8, Building 3, 67 Yushi First Alley, West Yipbazar Road, Yuhua Community (玉华社区依甫巴扎西路玉石一巷67号3栋8单元602室).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 4 camp (May 19, 2018). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Being a relative of a person who "escaped abroad", as well as being in contact with people abroad (his brother lives in Turkey). 2) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
The victim's father, Bekri Yusup, died in August 2016. His mother, Hornisahan Metsherip, died in October 2017.
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Family is strongly religious. His older brother, Mutellip Ababekri, went to Turkey in January 2016 and did not come back (he is a wanted person). There is still a real threat. Recommended to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Erkinjan Bekri (9930), Abdueli Ababekri (9801), Abduweli Ababekri (9802), Helil Ababekri (9865)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10026. Yusupjan Ebeydulla
Chinese ID: 653222198706100337 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Yusupjan Ebeydulla (potential Mandarin spelling: 玉苏普江·艾拜杜拉).
Address: Area 2, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片).
Household registration address: House No. 177, Group No. 4, Yengisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村4组177号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (June 4, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Yusupjan Abdulla is an unreliable person born in the 1980s, and was therefore sent to the No. 1 training camp (Bostankol) on 2017/06/04. Yusupjan Abdulla's father is one of the 'focus' members in the neighborhood. His grandfather was a leader of a 'Wahabi (瓦哈比)' group and was sentenced to 12 years in prison for being involved with Case No. 2 [sometimes reported as 1]. Yusupjan Abdulla's mother was hosting 'Te'awei (特阿威)' group activities at home. Yusupjan Abdulla is infected with religious extremism. His family is strongly religious. His situation is complicated. Yusupjan Abdulla is a real threat. Continue training."
"His relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Graduation to work in the industrial area approved."
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10031. Memetyusup Abdukerim
Chinese ID: 653222198802100273 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2018 - June 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|related to religion, other Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Memetyusup Abdukerim (potential Mandarin spelling: 麦麦提玉苏普·阿卜杜克热木).
Address: No. 96, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片区96号).
Household registration address: House No. 214, Group No. 3, Towen Qapaqla Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇托万喀帕克拉村3组214号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 4 camp (May 28, 2018). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Having grown a long beard before the "strike hard" campaign. 2) His wife wearing a veil. 3) "Harming social stability".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Memetyusup Abdukerim's wife would cover her face. Family is strongly religious. Relatives do not cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Person is a real threat, continue training."
"Memetyusup Abdukerim's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Bekri Abdukerim (10192)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10040. Nurmemet Turaniyaz
Chinese ID: 653222198810230270 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 30 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person", past "transgressions" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Nurmemet Turaniyaz (potential Mandarin spelling: 努尔麦麦提·图拉尼亚孜).
Address: Yengisheher Community (英协海尔社区).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (May 29, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s". 2) Having served a prison sentence.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Nurmemet Turaniyaz's thoughts have been greatly transformed. His family's performance is average. He admits his mistakes and shows honest regret. Continue the training."
His father is in poor health.
Victims among relatives
Memettohti Metrozi (10168)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10041. Turghun Nurmemet
Chinese ID: 653222198811020291 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 30 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Turghun Nurmemet (potential Mandarin spelling: 图尔贡·努尔麦麦提).
Address: No. 174, Second Area, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区二片区174号).
Household registration address: House No. 49, Group No. 4, Yengisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村4组49号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (December 4, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1980s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Turghun Nurmemet was sent to the No. 2 training center on 2017/12/04 for being an unreliable person born in the 1980s. His father was arrested for being involved in Case No. 1. His relatives' performance is average, family is strongly religious. Turghun Nurmemet is a real threat. Continue training."
His brother-in-law, Abduweli Obulqasim (阿布都外力·乌布力卡斯木), works as a security guard at one of the camps.
Victims among relatives
Nurmemet Memetshah (10153)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10063. Emerjan Obul
Chinese ID: 653222199203014693 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 27 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"problematic" association, "untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Emerjan Obul (potential Mandarin spelling: 艾麦尔江·乌布力).
Address: No. 24, Telpek Alley 1, North Qumluq Road (库木鲁克北路太力帕克1巷24号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash County No. 1 or No. 2 camp (records differ) (time unclear). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
A number of reasons are reported:
1) Living together with an "unsanctioned imam". 2) Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1990s".
The victim was flagged by the IJOP platform.
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Emerjan Obul's uncle was sentenced to 10 years in prison (currently in Urumqi prison) for being a village despot. Emerjan Obul has 5 brothers, 2 of whom were sent to training, 1 under supervision. Following his uncle's arrest, the uncle's daughter, Qelbinur Nurmemet (21 years old), went to live with Ablajan Obul's mother for a year. The local officials noticed that the daughter was covering her hair. Family is strongly religious, relatives do not cooperate with the neighborhood administration, and their performance is average. Emerjan Obul poses a real threat. Continue training."
"Emerjan Obul's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. It is recommended to graduate him to work in the industrial area."
Victims among relatives
Ablajan Obul (10043), Turdimemet Rozimemet (10266), Nurmemet Rozimemet (10267), Ibrahim Obul (10268), Alimjan Obul (10269)
Entry created: 2020-08-15 Last updated: 2020-08-15 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10083. Abdurahman Tursuntohti
Chinese ID: 653222199409110277 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 24 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: Apr. 2017 - June 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abdurahman Tursuntohti (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜热合曼·图尔荪托合提).
Address: 8 Aixin Alley, Yuhua Community (玉华社区爱心巷8号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (May 28, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1990s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Abdurahman Tursuntohti's thoughts have been greatly transformed. He admits his mistakes and expresses honest regret. No real threat. Abdurahman Tursuntohti's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Entry created: 2020-08-16 Last updated: 2020-08-16 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10092. Abduqeyyum Abduwaqi
Chinese ID: 653222199506030279 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 23 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abduqeyyum Abduwaqi (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜凯尤木·阿卜杜瓦柯).
Address: No. 245, Area 1, Shatliq Community (夏特勒克社区一片区245号).
Household registration address: House No. 88, Group No. 2, Yenghisheher Village, Qaraqash Municipality (喀拉喀什镇英协海尔村2组88号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 2 camp (time unclear). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1990s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information
The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Abduqeyyum Abduwaqi lent his ID card to a friend, Osman Rozitohti (吾斯曼·如孜托合提), in August 2015. The friend used the card to open a bank account to transfer money abroad. Abduqeyyum Abduwaqi is suspicious and poses a threat. Continue training."
"Abduqeyyum Abduwaqi's relatives actively cooperate with the neighborhood administration. Recommended to graduate to work in the industrial area."
Entry created: 2020-08-16 Last updated: 2020-08-16 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10104. Abduweli Shemshidin
Chinese ID: 653222199703100272 (Karakash)
Basic info
Age: 21 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: concentration camp When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"untrustworthy person" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
The "Qaraqash List", a local government document from Qaraqash County, leaked abroad in the middle of 2019. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Abduweli Shemshidin (potential Mandarin spelling: 阿卜杜外力·谢木西丁).
Address: No. 2, Alley 2, Xiaokang Road (小康路2巷2号).
Victim's location
In Qaraqash County.
When victim was detained
1) Sent to the Qaraqash No. 1 camp (July 1, 2017). 2) Recommended for transfer to work in the industrial area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Labeled as an "unreliable person born in the 1990s".
Victim's status
Still in camp, but likely to be transferred to work in the industrial area.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data comes directly from a local government document.
Additional information The original Qaraqash list document (with minor redactions): shahit.biz/supp/list_008.pdf
Excerpts from the local government administration reports/conclusions regarding the victim:
"Abduweli Shemshidin's father was arrested for being an unsanctioned imam. Family is strongly religious. Continue training."
"Apart from being an unreliable person born in the 1990s, no other abnormalities have been found. Agreed to graduate to work."
Victims among relatives
Abdulla Shemshidin (10094), Shemshidin Abdulla (10154)
Entry created: 2020-08-16 Last updated: 2020-08-16 Latest status update: 2019-03-08 10389. Seisen Bazarali
Chinese ID: 65????19????????O? (place of origin unclear)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: outside China Status: free When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Seisen Bazarali, as reported by Radio Azattyk. (the victim)
About the victim
Seisen Bazarali
Victim's location
Kazakhstan
When victim was detained
Sent to a re-education camp in February 2018: Released to house arrest in October 2018; Sent to a factory in Kulzha county a week after his release from the camp.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status free
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The victim's own testimony
Additional information
He was paid 29 dollars the first month of his work in the factory; 100 dollars the second month; and 115 dollars the third month.
Radio Azattyk coverage: https://www.azattyk.org/a/china-ksinjan-work-human-rights/30488548.html
Entry created: 2020-07-13 Last updated: 2020-08-23 Latest status update: 2020-03-16 11384. Tursunnisa Eli (图送妮萨·艾力)
Chinese ID: 65322119????????E? (Hotan County)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: July 2017 - Sep. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Xinjiang Daily, an official daily publication of the CPC Xinjiang Committee.
Testimony 2|4: Tursunnisa Eli, an alleged "vocational training center graduate" presented to the public by the Xinjiang authorities. (the victim)
Testimony 3: China Daily, an English-language daily newspaper owned by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China and published in the People's Republic of China.
About the victim
Tursunnisa Eli (吐送尼沙·艾力).
Victim's location
Yengi'awat Township, Hotan prefecture
When victim was detained
Testimony 3: "attended the training in August 2017." She also specifies that she "heard of [the] clothing factory in March 2019" and subsequently applied to work there. She was an "ordinary staff member" at first, but the clothing factory [management] found out that she had sewing skills, and promoted her to team leader. "The technician" then found out that she could speak Mandarin, and made her the "director of the workshop."
Testimony 2:
She describes herself as a "graduate from the Hotan County Vocational Education and Training Center."
She is asked to talk about foreign media reports that say that "vocational education and training centers" are using vocational training as a cover to force detainees (called "trainees" in the article) to work and make products, and whether or not such things occured at the "training centers." In response to the question, the victim denies that the "center" ever imposed forced labor on them and attempts to convey a positive image of the camps. She essentially says that the purpose of the "training courses" was such that the "trainees" could find jobs and "live better lives."
The victim says that detainees ("trainees") selected courses according to their interests, and that she chose to do the tailoring cause as that was aligned with her own interests. She says she wanted to "make pretty clothes for [herself] and earn money with the tailoring skills to support [her] family and take better care of [her] mom." She says that the tailoring classes "combined theoretical teaching and hands-on training" and denies that the "hands-on training" component was forced labour, dismissing reports that say otherwise as "sheer nonsense."
She adds that after she was released ("graduated"), she worked at a clothing company "with the help of the labor market" and signed a contract with that company. She says that she is now the manager of a workshop and "can earn 4,000 yuan a month," which has reportedly improved her family's living conditions and "enabled [them] to live a happy life."
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony 2: Unclear. The victim does not specify a reason, but the article as a whole attempts to convey a positive image of the camps as legitimate tools for "deradicalisation"; in responses from other victims included in the article, "religious extremism" is a common theme, so the reason for her detention could plausibly be related to religion.
Victim's status
Testimony 1: According to the article Tursunnisa works at a clothing factory in the Yengi'awat Township Poverty Alleviation Park after learning to sew in the 'vocational center'.
Testimony 2: After she was released from detention (in the words of the article, "graduated"), she reportedly worked at a clothing company [as a tailor] and signed a contract with that company. She is reportedly now the manager of a workshop.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Testimony 1: State-sponsored interview
Testimony 2: state-arranged press conference
Additional information
Xinjiang Daily article (Testimony 1): https://archive.vn/bxSHr
Press conference transcript (Testimony 2): https://archive.vn/KSjrv
At press conference (Testimony 4): https://archive.vn/7Y6Xu
Supplementary materials
Testimony 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_XI-aiCa34 propaganda image (right): https://shahit.biz/supp/11384_1.jpg photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/11384_3.jpeg Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2021-05-01 Latest status update: 2021-01-24 11388. Baqyt Ramazan
Chinese ID: 65422119????????E? (Dorbiljin)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Kazakh Likely current location: --- Status: --- When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: has problems Profession: ---
Testifying party
Akikat Kaliolla, a musician from Dorbiljin County, now a Kazakhstan citizen. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Baqyt Ramazan, a citizen of Kazakhstan (since December 2017) [presumably from Emin County, as they are the ones that sent her to camp]. She reportedly was subject to various forms of humiliation in the camp, including being made to sit in a tiger chair, scrub shoelaces and wash her hair with water which had been used to wash the bathroom. The torture she suffered has caused back injuries which were left untreated.
Victim's location
[Unclear if back in Kazakhstan or still in Xinjiang.]
When victim was detained
Detained and taken to the camp in Turghun village (吐尔滚村) (not clear when), where she would spent a year before being transferred to forced employment at a government office, where she'd have to regularly work overtime.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Testimony mentions her being forced to make apologies in the camp for failure to pay her party membership fee of 12 yuan.
Victim's status
Unclear.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? Not stated
Additional information
---
Supplementary materials original testimony: https://twitter.com/Akikatkaliolla/status/1209783226522320896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw photo (right): https://shahit.biz/supp/11388_2.jpg
Entry created: 2020-08-14 Last updated: 2020-11-17 Latest status update: 2019-12-25 12921. Hanzohre Seydehmet
Chinese ID: 65292719????????E? (Uchturpan)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: culinary
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Anonymous, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region)
Testimony 2: Local police, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Hanzohra Seyidehmet is an Uyghur woman who was approximately 23 years old as of 1 October 2020. She is originally from Uchturpan county. She worked as a food production apprentice in Ghulja city, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture.
Address: Jambizim Street, No. 4 Group, No. 12 Village, Imamlirim Township, Uchturpan County.
Victim's location
The victim is currently being subjected to a forced labour program at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu.
When victim was detained
The victim was first detained after she returned home to Uchturpan county from her work as a food production apprentice in Ghulja, Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture [dates unknown]. She was reportedly held in an internment camp until recently for one or more unspecified offences and according to an anonymous local source, has now been sent to work at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu as part of a forced labour program.
According to an anonymous police officer from Uchturpan's No 6. Village, the victim was allowed to see her family for one day before being sent to the factory for work, and the victim has neither been convicted of a crime, nor sentenced.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
--- Victim's status
The victim is currently being subjected to a force labour program. Her health status is unknown.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
It is unclear how the anonymous local source [not the police officer] heard about the victim's status, but the anonymous police officer presumably had access to official reports in relation to the victim.
Additional information
RFA coverage (Testimony 1-2): https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/labor-10012020174034.html
Arzugul Semet is also being forced to work at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu; she is mentioned in the same article.
Entry created: 2020-10-06 Last updated: 2021-02-27 Latest status update: 2020-10-01 12922. Arzugul Semet
Chinese ID: 65292719????????E? (Uchturpan)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|phone/computer Health status: --- Profession: tradesperson
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Anonymous, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region)
Testimony 2: Local police, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region)
About the victim
Arzugul Semet is an Uyghur woman who was in her 20s as of 1 October 2020. She is originally from Uchturpan county. She worked as a tailor for an unspecified period of time.
Address: Jambizim Street, No. 4 Group, No. 12 Village, Imamlirim Township, Uchturpan County.
Victim's location
The victim is currently being subjected to a forced labour program at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu.
When victim was detained
According to an anonymous police officer from Uchturpan's No. 6 Village, the victim was arrested at an unspecified point in time after someone borrowed the victim's telephone and sent a politically sensitive text message to a third party. Both the victim and the unspecified person were detained as a result of that message being sent.
According to a separate anonymous local source, the victim was initially held in an internment camp after her arrest and has now been sent to work at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu as part of a forced labour program.
According to the aforementioned police officer, the victim was allowed to see her family for one day before being sent to work [at the factory], and the victim has neither been convicted of a crime, nor sentenced.
Likely (or given) reason for detention The victim was initially arrested and detained as a result of someone borrowing her telephone and using it to send a politically sensitive text message to a third party.
Victim's status
The victim is currently being subjected to a force labour program. Her health status is unknown.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
It is unclear how the anonymous local source [not the police officer] heard about the victim's status, but the anonymous police officer presumably had access to official reports in relation to the victim.
Additional information
Radio Free Asia coverage (Testimony 1-2): https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/labor-10012020174034.html
Hanzohra Seyidehmet is also being forced to work at the Huafu textile factory in Aksu; she is mentioned in the same article.
Entry created: 2020-10-06 Last updated: 2021-02-27 Latest status update: 2020-10-01 12932. Almire Ablet (阿丽米热·阿不来提)
Chinese ID: 65292219????????E? (Onsu)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): "extremism"|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Almire Ablet, an alleged "vocational training center graduate" presented to the public by the Xinjiang authorities. (the victim)
About the victim
The victim is named Almira Ablat. According to the victim herself, she currently resides in Wensu county, Aksu prefecture. It is unclear if she is originally from Wensu county, as she only specifies her current location.
Victim's location
The victim reportedly resides in Wensu county, Aksu prefecture.
When victim was detained
It is unclear exactly when or where the victim was detained, but she describes herself as "a graduate from a vocational education and training center."
The victim is asked what she has learnt from the courses on law, vocational skills and deradicalisation at the camp (called a "center" in the article) and how she has benefited from the knowledge and skills acquired from those courses. In response to that question, the victim is quoted as saying that she got to know "some people with extremist thoughts" in 2016, with whom she allegedly "watched and listened to terrorist and extremist videos" and "showed [those videos] to other people." She proceeds to tell a story about how she was allegedly influenced by "religious extremist teachings" and began to think violent thoughts and became less social over time. At the camp, she reportedly studied Chinese language and became the "class commissary", assisting the "teacher" in teaching management. She explains that the teaching management experience coupled with the Chinese language proficiency led to her becoming a teacher at an unspecified education and training institution; she reportedly signed a labour contract with the employer "after graduating from the center" and now earns approximately 3,500 yuan per month.
The victim says that she "knew nothing about the law" before being sent to the camp and "couldn't distinguish whether the things that the religious extremists said were right or wrong," but at the camp, she supposedly learnt about the Chinese Constitution, Criminal Law, Marriage Law, Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, Counter-terrorism Law, and the regulations of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on Religious Affairs. She is quoted as saying that she now knows [sic] "what is legal and what is illegal, and what [she] can do and cannot do". She adds that "what the extremists wanted us to do was illegal, and if I hadn't learned the laws and regulations, I might have committed a crime."
In her response to the question, the victim also tries to convey a positive image of the camp, talking about extracurricular classes and what she was able to do in her spare time. After learning hairdressing and beauty services, she now reportedly "always gets dressed up" to go to work; she says that her parents are "happy about [that] change."
Likely (or given) reason for detention
The article alleges that the victim was influenced by extremism and that she day-dreamed about "killing kafirs and becoming a jihadist martyr [such that she could] go to heaven" and implies that this is the reason for which she was sent to the camp (which the article calls a "vocational education and training center").
Victim's status
Unclear. According to the article, the victim is currently working as a teacher at an unspecified education and training institution in Wensu county, Aksu prefecture.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The victim herself is quoted in the article.
Additional information
Press conference transcript: https://archive.vn/KSjrv
Supplementary materials photo: https://shahit.biz/supp/12932_1.jpeg
Entry created: 2020-11-02 Last updated: 2021-05-01 Latest status update: 2021-10-29 12934. Alim Memetimin
Chinese ID: 65322319????????O? (Guma)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Hotan Status: unclear (soft) When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: farmwork, herding
Testifying party
Alim Memetimin, an alleged "vocational training center graduate" presented to the public by the Xinjiang authorities. (the victim)
About the victim
The victim is named [sic] Alim Memetmin. Prior to his detention, he reportedly farmed at home and did "odd jobs", earning "very little." According to this article, he is now working at a rabbitry [as a breeder] on a three-year contract.
Victim's location
Unclear. The victim was detained in Pishan County, so he may still be in that general area.
When victim was detained
It is unclear when the victim was detained, but he describes himself as a "graduate of the Vocational Education and Training Center of Pishan County."
The victim is asked the following question: "According to a foreign media outlet, graduates of the vocational education and training centers were forced to work under monitoring against their will with very little wages. Can I ask a graduate to talk about what the reality is like?"
The victim responds to that question by saying that he is "very astonished and furious at the accusation that 'graduates of vocational education and training centers were forced to work under monitoring against their will with very little wages'" and denies that he and other "graduates" have been forced to do anything. He also denies that they are monitored by the Chinese government and is quoted as saying "If there is someone who is monitoring, I believe that's those ill-intentioned guys who keep making up lies and slandering Xinjiang every day. They are just so bad."
The victim says that he learnt about breeding technology at the camp and that after "graduation", he signed a three-year contract with a rabbitry. He also says that he joined the social security program after he graduated. Prior to his detention, he reportedly farmed at home and did "odd jobs", earning "very little"; he says that he now earns 3,000 yuan per month, works five days a week, eight hours a day, and takes days off on the weekends and on holidays. He adds that he can ask for leave "at any time if necessary". In summary, he is used as a propaganda tool to convey a positive image of the working conditions of ex-detainees.
The victim reportedly plans to open a breeding farm of his own.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Unclear. The victim does not specify a reason, but the article as a whole attempts to convey a positive image of the camps as legitimate tools for "deradicalisation"; in responses from other victims included in the article, "religious extremism" is a common theme, so the reason for his detention could plausibly have had something to do with religion.
Victim's status
Unclear. The victim has apparently been released from the camp and is now working as a breeder at a rabbitry.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The victim himself speaks at the press conference.
Additional information
Press conference transcript: https://archive.vn/KSjrv
Entry created: 2020-11-02 Last updated: 2021-05-01 Latest status update: 2020-10-31 13313. Sultan Emet (苏里塔尼·艾买提)
Chinese ID: 652926198302242016 (Bay)
Basic info
Age: 36 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: forced job placement When problems started: Apr. 2018 - June 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Sultan Emet.
Presumed registration address [his brother's]: House No. 13, Group No. 5, Shorbagh Mehelle Village, Sayram Municipality, Bay County (拜城县赛里木镇肖尔买里村5组13号).
Victim's location
Aksu City.
When victim was detained
Sent to camp in April 2018. Transferred to "study" in a bakery production line in Aksu City on March 2, 2019, where he is allowed to return home for one day every week.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Flagged by IJOP (reason unspecified).
Victim's status
As of March 21, 2019, he is in forced job placement (bakery) in Aksu City.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi.
Additional information ---
Entry created: 2021-03-17 Last updated: 2021-03-17 Latest status update: 2019-03-21 13344. Subhinur Ghojam
Chinese ID: 65290119????????E? (Aksu)
Basic info
Age: 18-35 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|"extremism" Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Subhinur Ghojam, as reported by Wall Street Journal. (the victim)
About the victim
Subinur Ghojam, 20 years old (as of 16 May 2019). She is working at a factory in Aksu. She was interviewed by a Wallstreet Journal journalist near the Huafu mill in Aksu in the first half of 2019.
Victim's location
Aksu
When victim was detained before May 2019. In or before May 2019, a Wallstreet Journal journalist met Subinur near the factory where she was working. Subinur had been transferred from a training center to the factory.
Likely (or given) reason for detention most likely for "extremist thoughts", Subinur told the Wallstreet Journal journalist: “Before I used to have extremist thoughts, but now they’re all gone."
Victim's status
She is working in a factory in Aksu.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
This is an eyewitness account.
Additional information During the interview with Subinur near the Huafu mill, government officials were waiting nearby. After having overheard that Subinur told the journalist that she had been to a "training center", the government officials took her into a room in a restaurant nearby. When Subinur returned, she told the journalist: “They say it’s secret. Even speaking of it is not allowed.”
Wallstreet Journal article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/western-companies-get-tangled-in-chinas-muslim-clampdown-1155801747 2
Entry created: 2020-11-25 Last updated: 2020-11-25 Latest status update: 2019-05-16 13587. Patigul Muhemmed
Chinese ID: unknown
Basic info
Age: 35-55 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: July 2018 - Sep. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: housemaker
Testifying party
Hebibulla Muhemmed, as reported by Liberation. (brother)
About the victim
Patigul Muhemmed [last name inferred from her brother's last name], 42 years old (as of 15 Dec 2020), high school education, good command of Mandarin, stay-at-home mum. She is married with two daughters (10 and 12 years old, as of 15 Dec 2020).
Victim's location
Urumqi
When victim was detained
She disappeared in September 2018. Seven months later, Patigul contacted her brother Hebibulla and told him that she had been sent to a "reeducation center", but had been released and was now undergoing "job training". In June 2019, Hebibulla heard from acquaintances that Patigul was working in a factory. Since then, Hebibulla received two short messages from his sister. Finally, in November 2020, Patigul contacted him by video call telling him about her work in a factory in the Urumqi area.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
No reason given. Her brother mentions that his sister's husband, who has not been detained, runs an electricity company and that the family's economic situation is good, making it unnecessary for his sister to work. Besides, his sister's Chinese is good and she could find a better job than working in a factory. He also points out that his sister does not like sowing and would never have chosen to work in a textile company.
Victim's status
In [presumably forced/involuntary] labour in a textile factory in the Urumqi area sowing pearls on dresses for export to Malaysia. According to Patigul, it is a very big factory, where she stays in a dormitory and is provided food, which Patigul described as 'disgusting'. She is allowed to leave the factory for two days per week, except during school holidays, as Uyghurs who are considered 'dangerous elements' are not allowed to leave the factory at that moment. Patigul is earning between 1500RMB and 2000RMB per month, but she has to pay 1500RMB every month for the food provided to her in the factory, making her basically work for free.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status? from the victim herself and from acquaintances who know about her
Additional information
La Libération article: https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2020/12/14/travail-force-des-ouighours-ma-soeur-m-a-dit-que-desorma is-elle-apprenait-un-metier_1808658
Entry created: 2020-12-16 Last updated: 2020-12-16 Latest status update: 2020-12-15 14650. Subhinur Memetimin (苏比努尔·买买提明)
Chinese ID: 65312619960826??E? (Kaghilik)
Basic info
Age: 24 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Kashgar Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1: Tianshan Net, a major online news portal in Xinjiang.
Testimony 2: Subhinur Memetimin, an alleged "vocational training center graduate" presented to the public by the Xinjiang authorities. (the victim)
About the victim
Subinur Memetimin (苏比努尔•买买提明). DOB: August 26, 1996.
Subinur said she was given a religious book as a child (Testimony 2: while in junior middle school) by a woman named Aynur. She then went on to visit Aynur at her home, where they would talk about religion. Aynur said that heaven was a beautiful place, where one could have boundless money, meals and beautiful clothes, as well as servants to fulfil every desire. Later, Subinur said she opened a “foreign website” with “images of blood” and other violent content. She then registered on many of these websites, supposedly learning how to make explosives. Subinur continues saying she then stopped buying all products made in non-Islamic countries. She also talks about having ruined her friend’s birthday party, smashing bottles and screaming after seeing alcohol and cigarettes being consumed. She mentioned idolizing one of the perpetrators of the Kunming train attack in 2014. She said to have still had “extremist thoughts” after arriving in the Kargilik County re-education camp, but had a change of heart after one of the teachers presented her with a birthday cake.
Address: Kargilik Municipality.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Kashgar.]
When victim was detained
Unclear when detained. She "graduated" in October 2018. Likely (or given) reason for detention
Official reason unclear, though many potential ones are listed in the article: including visiting foreign websites, observing halal practices etc.
Victim's status
Testimony 1: She now works in a production line for 2500 yuan a month, and has applied for subsidized housing in the Kargilik municipality.
Testimony 2: She currently works at a local law firm.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The victim herself is the alleged author of the state media article, and also speaks for herself at the conference. [Though neither are reliable.]
Additional information
Original article in state media (Testimony 1): https://archive.ph/J1xV9
Victim's appearance at press conference (Testimony 2): https://archive.vn/mDVYF
She possibly appears in a video for Tianshan Net to "speak out" against Western media coverage of Xinjiang (only the first name, "Subhinur", is given): https://web.archive.org/web/20200416223449/http://news.ts.cn/system/2019/12/11/035999256.shtml
Entry created: 2021-05-07 Last updated: 2021-05-30 Latest status update: 2021-01-27 15347. Qamile Ehmet (卡米拉·阿合买)
Chinese ID: 650121199310120446 (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 25 Gender: F Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: Jan. 2018 - Mar. 2018 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|relative(s), other Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3|4: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Qamile Ehmet.
Registration address: House No. 12, No. 1 Group, Badaowan Village, Shuimogou District (八道湾村1队12号).
Probable residential address [her father's]: Apt. 303, Entrance No. 2, Building No. 11, 282 South Hongyuan Road (鸿园南路282号11-2-303).
Victim's location
At home in Urumqi.
When victim was detained
Arrested on March 4, 2018 and sent to camp. On March 23, 2019, she was allowed to return home, having adopted a 10-6:30 workday at the textile factory by the Badaowan Transformation-Through-Education Center (八道湾教育转化中心), with someone from the neighborhood administration taking her to the factory in the mornings and then taking her back home in the evenings.
(One police record notes her undergoing a phone check on March 15, 2018 in the Bayi Subdistrict [it is not clear what this means]. Other records show that she was marked as "completely normal" (一切正常) in the system during a police check in June 2017, but had a yellow tag for being a relative of someone in custody during checks on February 14, 2018.)
Likely (or given) reason for detention
Being a "relative of a person on the run" (在逃人员家属) and a "clue person in an intelligence investigation“ (涉情报线索人员). Victim's status
Working 10-6:30 days at the factory next to the Badaowan camp, but allowed to live at home.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi.
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2021-06-19 Last updated: 2021-06-19 Latest status update: 2019-03-28 15348. Ghalip Ghulam (阿力甫·吾拉木)
Chinese ID: 650102198810284013 (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 30 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: Oct. 2017 - Dec. 2017 Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Ghalip Ghulam.
Residential and registration address: Apt. 403, Entrance No. 1, Building No. 17, Shuiyun Kangju Garden Residential Area, 360 Herong Alley, Shuimogou District (水磨沟区和融巷360号水韵康居苑小区17号楼1单元403号).
Victim's location
At home in Urumqi.
When victim was detained
Arrested on October 3, 2017 and sent to camp [unclear if immediately or later]. In August 2018, his mother reported to the neighborhood administration that there had been no news of her son since the arrest (the record mentions that she was "rather emotional" (比较有情绪)).
On March 22, 2019, Ghalip was allowed to return home, having been assigned [presumably this was not voluntary] a job at the factory zone of the Badaowan Vocational Education Center (八道湾职教点厂区), with someone from the neighborhood committee taking him to the factory at 9 in the morning and then taking him back home at 6 in the evening.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Working 8/9-hour days at the factory area of the Badaowan camp, but allowed to live at home. How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi.
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2021-06-19 Last updated: 2021-06-19 Latest status update: 2019-03-25 15349. Ekrem Ehmet (艾克热木·艾合买提)
Chinese ID: 65010219950927403X (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 23 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2|3: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Ekrem Ehmet.
Residential and registration address: Apt. 302, Entrance No. 1, Building No. 18, 360 Herong Alley, Shuimogou District, Urumqi (乌鲁木齐市水区和融巷360号18号楼1单元302号).
Victim's location
At home in Urumqi.
When victim was detained
Sent to camp at an unspecified point in time. On March 22, 2019, he was allowed to return home, having been assigned [presumably this was not voluntary] a job at the factory zone of the Badaowan Vocational Education Center (八道湾职教点厂区), with someone from the neighborhood administration taking him to the factory at 9 in the morning and then taking him back home at 6 in the evening.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Working 8/9-hour days at the factory area of the Badaowan camp, but allowed to live at home.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi. Additional information
His status in the police system was marked as "completely normal" (一切正常) on June 17, 2017, but during a July 6 check some three weeks later he was already tagged as a "person with a criminal record (Urumqi)" (suggesting that the tag was applied in that interval).
Entry created: 2021-06-19 Last updated: 2021-06-19 Latest status update: 2019-03-25 15350. Erkin Rozahun (艾尔肯·如扎洪)
Chinese ID: 650105199401101910 (Urumqi)
Basic info
Age: 25 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Testimony 1|2: Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Erkin Rozahun.
Residential and registration address: Apt. 601, Entrance No. 5, Building No. 20, 360 Herong Alley, Shuimogou District, Urumqi (乌鲁木齐市水区和融巷360号20号楼5单元601号).
Victim's location
At home in Urumqi.
When victim was detained
Sent to camp at an unspecified point in time. On March 22, 2019, he was allowed to return home, having been assigned [presumably this was not voluntary] a job at the factory zone of the Badaowan Vocational Education Center (八道湾职教点厂区), with someone from the neighborhood administration taking him to the factory at 9 in the morning and then taking him back home at 6 in the evening.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Working 8/9-hour days at the factory area of the Badaowan camp, but allowed to live at home.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi. Additional information
---
Entry created: 2021-06-19 Last updated: 2021-06-19 Latest status update: 2019-03-25 15399. Emet Memet (艾麦提·麦麦提)
Chinese ID: 653125198008155211 (Yarkand)
Basic info
Age: 38 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Kashgar Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Xinjiang government records, as reported by Adrian Zenz.
About the victim
Emet Memet. He is married with two children.
Address: House No. 320, Group No. 2, Yuqiri Alwaqichi Village, Arslanbagh Township, Yarkand County, Kashgar Prefecture (莎车县阿尔斯兰巴格乡尤库日阿勒瓦克其村2组320号).
Victim's location
[Most likely in Kashgar.]
When victim was detained
Problems started prior to January 27, 2019 [when the record was generated].
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
Marked as being "taken for education" (SJ/收教), which is presumably a euphemism for camp.
The victim is also marked as being part of the village committee's militia (村委会民兵), suggesting that he took this job [presumably assigned] following release.
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
The data were obtained from internal sources in Xinjiang. Additional information
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Entry created: 2021-06-20 Last updated: 2021-06-20 Latest status update: 2019-01-27 15892. Nurmemet Hamut
Chinese ID: 65292819????????O? (Awat)
Basic info
Age: --- Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Aksu Status: --- When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: engineer
Testifying party
Abduweli Ayup, a language activist, linguist, and writer, originally from Kashgar but now residing in Norway.
About the victim
Nurmemet Hamut worked as a programmer at the Lenovo Computer Company.
He graduated from a college in Shanghai.
Victim's location
[Presumably in Aksu.]
When victim was detained
He was released from camp in October 2019, but was subsequently appointed as a teacher at the concentration camp in which he was previously detained.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
---
Victim's status
[Not clear if there has been a change of status since October 2019.]
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
Not stated.
Additional information This victim is included in the list of prominent detained Uyghurs, available at: shahit.biz/supp/list_003.pdf
A local government document also lists a Nurmemet Hamut (努日买买提·阿木提), from the same county as the victim, who was "taken for education" (收教) on October 13, 2017 for "leaving the jurisdiction to apply for an ID". It is not confirmed that this is the same person, however.
Entry created: 2021-07-08 Last updated: 2021-08-20 Latest status update: 2021-03-13 24196. Sidiq Mollamet (斯迪克·莫拉麦提)
Chinese ID: 652923198706052711 (Kucha)
Basic info
Age: 31 Gender: M Ethnicity: Uyghur Likely current location: Urumqi Status: forced job placement When problems started: --- Detention reason (suspected|official): ---|--- Health status: --- Profession: ---
Testifying party
Urumqi police records, as reported by Yael Grauer.
About the victim
Sidiq Mollamet.
Residential address: West Wenquan Road Neighborhood, Urumqi.
Victim's location
Badaowan Industrial Park (八道湾产业园), Urumqi. [This is presumably the park that formed around and/or replaced the re-education camp in Badaowan.]
When victim was detained
He was reported as being in "transformation through education" as early as July 14, 2018. On December 15, 2018, his wife and children visited him at the Shuimogou District Badaowan Transformation-Through-Education Point (水区八道湾教育转化点), with Sidiq giving them a drawing of their family of four, as it was their seventh wedding anniversary.
On February 28, 2019, his wife reported that he had called her a few days earlier and mentioned now being in the Dabancheng center (a March 15, 2019 report also mentions him as being at the Dabancheng camp).
On the night of March 24 / morning of March 25, he was allowed to return home following a call from the Badaowan camp to his neighborhood administration, and to be with his family, but was taken back to the Badaowan facility (here referred to as the Badaowan Industrial Park, or 八道湾产业园) the next day.
Likely (or given) reason for detention
--- Victim's status
At the industrial park [this is presumably forced labor].
How did the testifier learn about the victim's status?
These data come directly from police databases in Urumqi.
Additional information
---
Entry created: 2021-08-27 Last updated: 2021-08-27 Latest status update: 2019-03-29