Persecution of in the Era of the “War on Terror”

October 16, 2007

Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006, USA

Tel: (202) 349 1496 Fax: (202) 349 1491 Email: [email protected] Visit: www.uhrp.org

Over the past six years, PRC officials return of Uyghurs from China’s have maneuvered to use the concept of neighboring countries in violation of “terrorism” as a justification for their international law. repressive treatment of Uyghurs in East • Attempted to influence overseas Turkestan1 (also known as Uyghur activists by harassing their Uyghur Autonomous Region or XUAR) family members who remain in East and to intimidate Uyghurs who have fled Turkestan. China. This report documents that the PRC government has: I. Questionable Assertions: “Terrorism” as an Excuse for • Placed tremendous emphasis on the Intimidation and Repression threat of “terrorism” in , without providing Shortly after the attacks of 9/11, credible public evidence of a statements by threat. PRC authorities • Initiated a signaled the series of official “security” decision to use campaigns in the “global war East Turkestan on terror” to that have intensify resulted in repression of serious human the Uyghur rights abuses. people. On • Used its September 1, influence within the Shanghai 2001, the XUAR Regional Government Cooperation Organization to seek the Chairman Abdulahat Abdurixit said in Urumqi, “By no means is Xinjiang a 1 Use of the term ‘East Turkestan’ does not define a ‘pro- place where violence and terrorist independence’ position. Instead, it is used by Uyghurs incidents take place very often,”2 and wishing to assert their cultural distinctiveness from China proper. ‘Xinjiang’, meaning ‘new boundary’ or ‘new realm,’ just a week before 9/11, XUAR was adopted by the Manchus in the Qing dynasty (1644- Communist Party Secretary 1911) and reflects the perspective of those who gave it this name. This use of terminology, whether ‘Xinjiang’ or ‘East Lequan told a group of Hong Kong Turkestan,’ is often compared by Uyghurs to use of the term ‘Tibet’ by Tibetans. That is, Tibetans use the name they choose, and not a translation of the Chinese ‘Xizang,’ meaning ‘western treasure-store.’ Uyghurs also choose to use a name other than the one designated by the Chinese authorities. 2 Bao Lisheng, "Wang Lequan Says That Xinjiang Is Not a Place of Terror," Ta Kung Pao (Hong Kong), September 3 photo: Mass sentencing of Uyghurs © ETIC 2001.

Persecution of Uyghurs in the Era of the “War on Terror”

investors that “Xinjiang is not a place of time.7 A few weeks later, on the second terror.”3 anniversary of 9/11, ETIM was placed Two months later, then Foreign on the UN terror list.8 Minister Tang Jiaxuan stood before the The move came just in advance of the UN and asserted that “East Turkestan U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, leading several terrorist forces have long received independent experts to see the change as training, financial aid and support from directly related to the impending war. international terrorist groups… East Willy Wo Lap Lam, a prominent China Turkestan is… a part of international scholar, wrote at the time, “Washington terrorism and should be resolutely realizes that if it were to sponsor a UN fought against.”4 This speech marked resolution that involves the invasion of the beginning of a PRC campaign to use Iraq, it will need, at the very least, an the concept of “terrorism” against the abstention rather than a veto from China, Uyghur people of East Turkestan. one of the Security Council’s five Chinese authorities began lobbying permanent members.”9 In Lam’s for an obscure group known as the East analysis, “the decision by the U.S. and Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) to UN to label ETIM a terrorist outfit could be labeled as a terrorist organization. afford Beijing much-needed legitimacy Immediately after 9/11, the Bush in its campaign to snuff out the entire administration warned the PRC pro-independence and dissident government not to use the event to movement in the XUAR- and to Sinicize persecute Uyghurs, refusing to link any the region by promoting Chinese culture Uyghur group to terrorism.5 Nearly a and encouraging Han Chinese to migrate year later, in August 2002, in an abrupt to Xinjiang.”10 change in policy, the U.S. government Official PRC government documents designated ETIM as a terrorist and statements frequently use vague and organization. generic terms such as “East Turkestan In making this announcement, the US terrorist organization” or “East State Department cited, almost verbatim, Turkestan terrorist force,” implying that the PRC government’s accusations a unified and strong group of terrorists against ETIM, and in fact mistakenly exists.11 Hundreds of official speeches, went even further than PRC authorities reports, and news articles discussing by attributing all of the violent incidents East Turkestan use the “terrorist” that the government claimed had taken designation.12 However, many observers place in East Turkestan in the past have questioned the legitimacy of these decade to ETIM.6 This announcement types of PRC government claims. In his was criticized by several experts at the comprehensive analysis of violence and

7 Erik Eckholm, U.S. Labeling of Group in China as Terrorist Is Criticized, The Washington Post, September 12, 2002. 3 Ibid. 8 U.S. State Department, Designation of the Eastern 4 Statement by Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan at UN Security Turkestan Islamic Movement under UNSC Resolutions 1267 Council Ministerial Meeting on Counter Terrorism, and 1390, September 11, 2002. November 12, 2001. 9 Willy Wo Lap Lam, Exploiting a Favorable Climate, China 5 White House Press Release, President Says Terrorists Tried Brief Volume 2, Issue 19, September 26, 2002. to Disrupt World Economy, Shanghai, China, October 20, 10 Ibid. 2001 and Press Conference of Ambassador Francis X Taylor, 11 James Millward, Violent Separatism in Xinjiang: A Critical December 6, 2001. Assesment, p.13, East-West Center, 2004. 6 James Millward, Violent Separatism in Xinjiang: A Critical 12 Nicholas Becquelin, Criminalizing Ethnicity: Political Assesment, p.12, p. 27, East-West Center, 2004. Repression in Xinjiang, China Rights Forum, No.1, 2004.

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“terrorist” groups in East Turkestan, 2006, the Chinese diplomatic mission in Georgetown University professor James Pakistan claimed that “members of the Millward concluded that “the notion of East Turkestan Islamic Movement” were an imminent terrorist threat in Xinjiang planning to kidnap senior Chinese or from Uyghur groups is diplomats and consular officers in the exaggerated.”13 In April 2007, the U.S. country. However, no evidence was State Department re-assigned ETIM to presented.17 its list of “Groups of Concern,” taking The most dramatic claim was the the group off of its terrorist list.14 announcement that PRC authorities The PRC government has also raided on a “terrorist camp” near the labeled nearly all Uyghur organizations village of Kosrap, in the mountainous as terrorist groups, regardless of their region of the Pamir Plateau on January violent or non-violent nature. In late 8, 2007. This raid was said to have 2003, China’s Ministry of Public resulted in the death of 18 and the Security released a list that gave the capture of 17 ETIM members.18 Dru “terrorist” label to ETIM, the East Gladney, president of the Pacific Basin Turkestan Liberation Organization Institute and an expert on Uyghurs and (ETLO), the East Turkestan Information other Muslims living in the PRC, stated Center (ETIC), and the World Uyghur his doubts that ETIM was involved, Youth Congress (WUYC).15 With the saying that the organization “dropped temporary exception of ETIM, none of out of sight with the death of its reputed these organizations have been leader, Hasan Mahsun,” who was killed recognized as “terrorist” by any other in 2003 by Pakistani security forces.19 country in the world. PRC authorities have yet to provide On several occasions, the PRC documentation of this alleged terrorist government has raised the specter of camp. terrorism, without providing corresponding evidence. In August II. PRC “Security” Campaigns in 2005, Chinese authorities warned a East Turkestan: Intimidation, Arrests, visiting delegation from the U.S. Torture, and Executions Commission on International Religious Freedom that “elements of Al-Qaeda” Over the past six years, using were targeting them. The Commission “terrorism” as a justification, Beijing has later determined that this claim was used undertaken a renewed, systematic, and to “restrict Commission activities and to sustained crackdown on all forms of monitor its contact with local people not Uyghur dissent. As is common in the approved by the government.”16 In June PRC justice system, those arrested in these campaigns frequently suffer from 13 James Millward, Violent Separatism in Xinjiang: A Critical physical abuse and other maltreatment Assessment, p.31, East-West Center, 2004. 14 while in government custody. In U.S. State Department, U.S. Designates 43 Terrorist Groups, April 30, 2007, at addition, they are often subject to non- http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile- transparent trials and denied access to english&y=2007&m=April&x=20070425112939idybeekcm0 .9128382 15 Xinhua, China Seeks International Support in Counter- Terrorism, December 15, 2003. 17 Daily Times (Pakistan), Chinese Diplomats Face 16 U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Kidnapping, June 26, 2006. Policy Focus China, at 18 Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Doubt Raised over ‘Terrorism’ http://www.uscirf.gov/countries/region/east_asia/china/China in China’s Restive West, January 9, 2007. PolicyBrief.pdf 19 Ibid.

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independent counsel. Convictions are “state security crimes.”23 The state-run regularly obtained on the basis of forced Xinjiang Daily reported that, in 2005 confessions extracted through torture. alone, 18,227 individuals were arrested Security forces target Uyghurs who in East Turkestan for endangering state express any type of dissent as they security, a jump of 25 percent from the “strike hard” against the “three evil previous year.24 forces” of “separatism, terrorism, and The heavy-handed nature of the extremism.” Reminiscent of the Chinese campaigns can be seen in the case of a proverb “killing the chicken to scare the poster branded as “separatist” that monkey,” these activities are calculated appeared in Terem Village in Yopurgha to send a strong and intimidating County of Kashgar in June 2003. After message to the Uyghur population. For discovering the poster, local authorities example, in the fall of 2005, on the eve detained hundreds of Uyghurs, including of the 50th anniversary of the founding of two schoolchildren, on suspicion of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous writing the poster, and levied fines on Region, , China’s most senior many of those who they detained.25 law official, in charge of law After nearly four years, police are still enforcement for the Standing Committee conducting a full investigation, hoping to of the Politburo, urged XUAR find the poster’s author, and have not authorities to prepare for danger and returned any of the fines that were renew their campaign against collected.26 separatism.20 Luo encouraged armed Security sweeps of Uyghur areas are police to “keep improving their abilities often carried out shortly before the of dealing with emergent events and Chinese New Year. For example, in fighting against terrorism as well as early 2005, on the eve of the Chinese increasing combat and defense New Year, more than 700 Uyghur capabilities.”21 youths were picked up by local Public Since 9/11, Amnesty International Security Bureau officers in Ghulja has documented that, under these types City.27 These types of round-ups are of campaigns, “tens of thousands of often followed by mass sentencing people are reported to have been rallies, parades of political prisoners detained for investigation in the region, though Uyghur neighborhoods, and and hundreds, possibly thousands, have public executions.28 As a result, many been charged or sentenced under the Uyghurs view Chinese New Year as “a Criminal Law; many Uighurs are dreadful season of possible death and believed to have been sentenced to death destruction, followed by mourning and and executed for alleged “separatist” or lamentation.”29 “terrorist” offences.”22 According to a scholarly paper from a 2001 Ministry of

Justice compendium, one out of eleven 23 Human Rights Watch, Devastating Blows: Religious convicted Uyghurs are in prison for Repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang, April 2005. p. 72. 24 South China Morning Post, 18,000 Uygurs Arrested for ‘Security Threats’ Last Year, January 21, 2006. 20 China Daily, Leader urges vigilance as celebrations near, 25 RFA, China Detains Uyghurs over ‘Separatist’ Poster, September 29, 2005.. February 4, 2007. 21 Ibid. 26 Ibid. 22 Amnesty International, People’s Republic of China 27 RFA, More than 700 Uyghur Youth detained in the eve of Uighurs fleeing persecution as China wages its "war on Chinese New Year, February 10, 2005. terror", July 2004; 28 UHRP interview with Uyghur scholar, May 26, 2007. http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa170212004 29 Ibid.

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The recent establishment of several Uyghurs in Government Custody: Ill- government organizations suggests that Treatment and Torture human rights abuses as the result of “security” campaigns in East Turkestan Uyghurs who are arrested during will continue. It was reported in April “security” sweeps often suffer in 2007 that the Xinjiang and Tibet government custody.34 Amnesty Working Groups had been established International has documented a number specifically to handle Uyghur and of extremely cruel forms of torture used Tibetan separatism. Through an analysis by PRC authorities, including “severe of the working groups’ members, some beating and kicking; the use of electric Chinese experts predict that the PRC batons; the use of handcuffs, shackles or will be adopting an even more ropes to tie prisoners in positions which aggressive policy towards Uyghurs in cause intense pain; and exposure to East Turkestan.30 Luo Gan, Secretary extreme cold or heat.”35 Other torture General of the Central Political and methods used in East Turkestan are Legislative Committee, leads the “unidentified injections which cause the Xinjiang Working Group, with Vice victim to become mentally unbalanced Premier and Central or to lose the ability to speak coherently; Political Bureau member and XUAR the insertion of pepper or chili powder in Party Secretary Wang Lequan acting as the mouth, nose or genital organs; and deputy group leaders.31 All three are the insertion of horse hair or wires into widely seen as holding hard-line views. the penis.”36 In addition to the two working In late 2005, after making his first groups, the State Ethnic Affairs visit to China, during which he visited Commission announced in March 2007 prisons in Urumchi, Lhasa, and Beijing, the creation of a new mechanism to Mr. Manfred Nowak, the United Nations monitor the activities of certain ethnic Special Rapporteur on Torture, groups, especially Uyghurs and confirmed that “torture was widespread” Tibetans, in order to “deal with in China, especially in East Turkestan emergencies resulting from ethnic and Tibet. Forms of torture he issues.”32 According to Dainzhub documented included the “use of electric Ongboin, vice director of the shock batons, cigarette burns, guard- Commission, the monitoring group instructed beatings by fellow prisoners, represents “a major step in the central submersion in pits of water or sewage, government’s efforts to develop the exposure to extreme heat or cold, being country’s ethnic minorities.” However, forced to maintain uncomfortable one stated goal of this “development positions, deprivation of sleep, food or method” is to “clamp down on ethnic water, (and) suspension from overhead separatism so as to safeguard ethnic fixtures by handcuffs.”37 Several unity, social stability, and national security.”33 34 Human Rights Watch, 2006 World Report, January 2006. 35 Amnesty International, Torture Campaign Leaflets, August 1, 2000. See also Amnesty International, Gross Violations of 30 UHRP, Uyghur Canadian Sentenced to Life on Human Rights in the Uighur Autonomous Region, London: “Terrorism” Charge, Apr. 19, 2007. Amnesty International, 1999. 31 Ibid. 36 Ibid. 32 Xinhua, China to Monitor Ethnic Relations, March 30, 37 UN News Service, Torture, though on Decline, Remains 2007. Widespread in China, UN Expert Reports, December 2, 33 Ibid. 2005.

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released prisoners interviewed for this “Terrorism in the Spiritual Form” report confirm that that they faced or witnessed these types of cruel and All manifestations of Uyghur unusual methods of torture while serving opposition, no matter how peaceful, are their prison terms.38 in danger of being labeled “separatist” or There are many specific examples of “terrorist” conspiracies against the the use of these torture methods. In mid- government. On January 1, 2002, 2006, Tudahun Hoshur, a 31-year old Uyghur poet Tursunjan Amat was trader from Ghulja City, was suspended arrested after reciting a poem purported from a ceiling by his hands, beaten, and to promote “separatism” at the Xinjiang denied food for three days for failing to People’s Hall in Urumchi. Soon memorize all 45 articles of the detention afterwards, Wang Lequan warned center’s regulations in Chinese.39 Ismail against the danger of “separatist forces” Semed, who was executed on February using ideology to attack PRC policies, 8, 2007 for allegedly attempting to “split saying, “the anti-separatist struggle in the motherland,” was convicted on the the ideological field had always been a basis of confessions that were likely major battleground without the smoke of extracted from two other Uyghur gunpowder.”45 One year later, another prisoners through torture.40 Semed told Uyghur poet was accused of “attacking” his wife just before his execution that his the PRC’s policy towards Uyghurs when confession was coerced through his recitation of a poem in a Kashgar torture.41 concert hall was labeled “terrorism in the Alim and Ablikim Abdureyim, the spiritual form.”46 sons of prominent Uyghur leader and According to a Human Rights Watch human rights defender , report, “In January 2002, pressure to were sentenced to seven and nine years follow the official ideological line was in prison respectively. Alim and explicitly extended to include artists, Ablikim were severely beaten by police writers, performers, and historians, officers on June 1, 2006 after they were among others, when Abulahat Abdurixit, detained near Urumchi.42 As a result of the region’s chairman, made clear that his beating, Ablikim lost consciousness ‘all who openly advocate separatism and was taken to a hospital.43 Alim was using the name of art’ would be detained and tortured, later “confessing” purged.”47 Since that time, official to the criminal and political charges government sources have indicated that brought against him as a direct result of “the ‘struggle against separatism’ is this torture.44 wide-ranging and encompasses all potential dissent and opposition

38 activities, including the peaceful UHRP interviews with former Uyghur political prisoners, May 12, 2007. expression of views via poems, songs, 39 UHRP, Details Emerge of Uyghur Political Detainee Suffering Torture, Abuse, June 5, 2006. 40 UHRP, Uyghur Prisoner Executed in Urumchi, February 9, 2007. 41 RFA, Uyghur Activist Executed in China, February 8, 2007. 42 UHRP, Rebiya Kadeer’s Adult Children Severely Beaten in 45 Amnesty International, PRC: China’s Anti-terrorism front of Her Grandchildren, June 1, 2006. Legislation and Repression in XUAR, March 22, 2002. 43 Ibid. 46 Christian Science Monitor, Pressure to conform in West 44 UHRP, Rebiya Kadeer’s Son Tortured, June 23, 2006. China, September 29, 2003. andUHRP, Rebiya Kadeer’s Youngest Son “Confesses” to 47 Human Rights Watch, China Human Rights Update, Crimes under Torture, July 6, 2006. February 2002.

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books, pamphlets, letters, or the contained 1,600 poems, commentaries, Internet.”48 and stories, as well as an unfinished As a result of this campaign, many novel.52 Kuresh Huseyin, chief editor of Uyghur writers have been arrested and the Kashgar Literature Journal, was given lengthy prison sentences. sentenced to three years for publishing Abdulghani Memetemin, a writer, Yasin’s “Wild Pigeon” in late 2005.53 teacher, and translator, was sentenced to Sitiwaldi (Dilkex) Tiliwaldi, a young nine years in prison by the Kashgar Uyghur man from Ghulja, disappeared in Intermediate Court in June 2003 on October 2004 after speaking to Serene charges of “sending secret state Fang, a reporter from PBS who had information out of the country.”49 come to investigate human rights Memtemin was arrested on July 26, violations against the Uyghur people by 2002 when authorities discovered he had PRC authorities.54 After an interview been translating news articles, about East Turkestan’s general situation, forwarding official speeches, and Tiliwaldi and Fang were approached by conducting original reporting for the PRC security agents, who questioned German-based East Turkestan and searched them and confiscated the Information Center.50 interview tape and other materials.55 Fang was deported to the United States. Tiliwaldi’s whereabouts remain unknown.56

III. The PRC’s Campaign Against Uyghurs Outside of China

Two disturbing trends in the era of the “war on terror” are the PRC’s use of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Writer Nurmemet Yasin to seek the return of Uyghurs from neighboring countries and its attempt to Nurmemet Yasin, a well-known influence overseas Uyghur activists by Uyghur writer, was sentenced to ten harassing their family members who years in prison in 2005 for writing “Wild remain in East Turkestan. Pigeon,” a fictional story about a pigeon that commits suicide because it is unable Shanghai Cooperation Organization to escape its cage.51 Shortly after

Yasin’s story was published in the In 1996, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kashgar Literature Journal in late 2004, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan created the he was accused of inciting separatism Shanghai Five to resolve border issues and arrested by Kashgar police who remaining after the collapse of the Soviet confiscated his computer, which Union. With the addition of Uzbekistan in 2001, the Shanghai Five became 48 Amnesty International, PRC: China’s Anti-terrorism Legislation and Repression in the XUAR, March 22, 2002. 49 Committee to Protect Journalists, China: Journalist 52 Ibid. Imprisoned, August 3, 2004. 53 Ibid. 50 Ibid. 54 PBS Frontline, China-Silenced, January 11, 2005. 51 RFA, China Court Jails Uyghur Editor for Publishing 55 Ibid. Veiled Dissent, November 10, 2005. 56 Ibid.

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known as the Shanghai Cooperation From August 9 to 17, 2007, more than Organization (SCO). 6,500 troops from SCO countries Since the founding of the Central participated in “anti-terrorism” exercises Asian states in the early 1990s, PRC in Urumchi, the capital of East leaders have feared that these nations, Turkestan, and Chelyabinsk, Russia.61 which are culturally and linguistically This was the first time that the SCO has related to Uyghurs, would sympathize conducted military exercises inside East with the Uyghur situation and support Turkestan. The scale of the exercises their cause. The PRC government views suggested that they were aimed at the approximately one million Uyghurs controlling and intimidating local living in SCO countries as a threat, wary populations and not just combating that this population might aid Uyghurs in “terrorism.” East Turkestan to resist Chinese control In a practice that began before 9/11, of their traditional homeland. PRC but that has accelerated in the past six authorities have used the SCO to years, SCO member and observer states suppress Uyghur opposition in East have assisted the PRC in tracking down Turkestan and Central Asia, enlisting Uyghur political activists and extraditing support for its attacks on Uyghurs. 57 them to China, where they face serious In May 2006, during the SCO human rights violations, including Summit, member states signed fifteen torture, unfair trials, and execution. In agreements aimed at strengthening all of these cases, the PRC and its cooperation in the fight against neighboring states are in violation of the “terrorism.”58 China has also signed principle of non-refoulement under bilateral “anti-terror” agreements with international law, which protects Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, refugees from being returned to places Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan, where their lives or freedom could be as well as several Arab states.59 threatened. In addition, the PRC has conducted a In 1999, Kazakhstan forcibly returned series of large-scale exercises targeting Uyghur political activists Kasim Mahpir, the “three evil forces of terrorism, Ilyas Zordun, and Zulfikar Memet to the separatism, and extremism,” together PRC, where they were executed.62 In with SCO member states Russia, 2003, Pakistan forcibly repatriated Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, Uyghur activist Ismail Semed to China, and SCO observer state, Pakistan.60 where he was executed on February 8, 2007 on charges of “attempting to split 63 57 the motherland.” In the same year, Ariel Cohen, The Dragon Looks West: China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Heritage Lectures No. Pakistan also deported Muhammed Tohti 961, Heritage Foundation, September 7, 2006. 58 China Daily, SCO to Sign Anti-terror Agreements, May 16, 2006. 59 People’s Daily, China, Kazakhstan Issue Joint Statement, Daily, Anti-terror Exercise Targets '3 Evil Forces', August May 18, 2004; Xinhua, China, Kyrgyzstan Sign Anti- 28, 2006; BBC, China-Kyrgyz Anti-terror Exercises, Terrorism Agreement, December 11, 2002; Xinhua, Hu Firm October 10, 2002; Xinhua, China, Tajikistan Hold Joint on Anti-terror Efforts, June 15, 2006; PRC MOFA, China, Antiterror Exercises, September 22, 2006. VOA, China, Russia to Promote Humanistic, Anti-Terror Cooperation, Pakistan Hold Joint Anti-Terror Military Exercises, August September 25, 2004; Reuters, Turkmenistan, China Sign 6, 2004. Anti-terror Agreement, April 4, 2006; Xinhua, China Ratifies 61 Xinhua, SCO to Stage Joint Anti-terror Military Exercise Anti-terror Pact With Pakistan, August 28, 2006; Xinhua, in 2007, April 26, 2006. China, Arab States Pledge Anti-terror Cooperation, June 2, 62 Amnesty International, China: Further information on 2006. Torture/Health Concern/Unfair Trial /Fear of Execution, 60 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia/China: Military June 16, 2000. Exercises Underscore Growing Ties, August 5, 2005; China 63 RFA, Uyghur Activist Executed in China, Feb. 8, 2007.

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Metrozi, a recognized refugee awaiting Canadian citizenship, traveled with his resettlement in Sweden.64 Businessman wife to visit her parents in Uzbekistan.68 Osman Alihan was extradited in July 2007, also from Pakistan. On May 10, 2006, Kazakhstan forcibly returned Uyghur activists Yusuf Kadir and Abdukadir Sidik to China, where they are being held in incommunicado detention.65 In yet another case, the UNHCR expressed concern that Arkin Sabirov, who disappeared on October 23, 2006, had been secretly deported to the PRC from Kazakhstan.66 Criticism from human rights organizations and international pressure have led to secrecy surrounding the deportation of several Uyghurs. In 2004, Vladimir Huseyin Celil Bozhko, Kazakh National Security Agency Deputy Chairman, admitted that In March 2006, Uzbek authorities over a six year period 14 Uyghurs had detained Celil, reportedly at the request been extradited from Kazakhstan to of the Chinese government, and later Kyrgyzstan and China for their extradited him to the PRC to face “involvement in Uyghur separatist charges of “terrorism,” refusing to organizations.”67 recognize Celil’s Canadian citizenship. This act was in direct contradiction to The Case of Canadian Citizen Huseyin Article 9 of the Nationality Law of the Celil People’s Republic of China, which states that a person loses Chinese citizenship The extradition of Uyghur-Canadian when he or she is naturalized as a citizen 69 Huseyin Celil from Uzbekistan to China in a foreign country. in June 2006 is a recent and powerful Celil’s extradition immediately example of the PRC’s use of the SCO to became a major issue in Sino-Canadian force the return of an ethnic Uyghur in relations. Canadian Prime Minister violation of international law. In early Stephen Harper expressed great concern 2006, Celil, a charismatic Uyghur imam about Celil’s case when speaking with and activist who had been granted Chinese President on the sidelines of the 2006 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Vietnam.70 Despite this direct and high-

64 Amnesty International, Documented Cases of Uighurs level intervention, in April 2007, a Forcibly Returned to the XUAR, at http://www.amnesty.ca/archives/resources/huseyin_celil/uigh ur_forced_returns_cases.doc. 68 UHRP, Uyghur Canadian Sentenced to Life on 65 Amnesty International, Kazakhstan: Further Information “Terrorism” Charges, Apr. 19, 2007. on Forcible Return/Torture/Death Penalty, June 27, 2006. 69 The Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, 66 Institute of War & Peace Reporting, Kazakhstan under (sponsored by the Supreme People’s Court of the PRC), at Fire for Reported Extradition of Uighur, December 7, 2006. http://en.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=2706 67 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakhstan Reveals 70 CBC, Canadian Diplomacy Taking Tougher Approach: Uyghur Extraditions, November 16, 2004. Harper, Nov. 19, 2006.

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Chinese court sentenced Celil to life rights activists in exile that it is imprisonment. impossible “to hide behind a Canadian According to Celil’s sister, in early passport or a charter of rights or 2007, while Celil was in Chinese whatever other document in other custody, he was tortured and forced to countries you may have.”77 The Celil sign a pre-written confession, which he case remains one of the thorniest issues signed only after he was told by prison in Sino-Canadian relations, with Canada guards that if he refused he would be continuing to apply pressure for his “buried alive and disappear without any release before the 2008 Beijing clues.”71 Celil was also denied the Olympics.78 Canadian consular access he was entitled to under Sino-Canadian bilateral Targeting Rebiya Kadeer’s Family agreements.72 During his official visit to Beijing one week after Celil’s sentencing, Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay raised the Celil case with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, demanding that Celil receive consular access.73 The PRC denied MacKay’s demands. On July 10, a Chinese high court rejected Celil’s appeal in a process that lasted just 15 minutes before the court read a prepared statement nearly 74 identical to a previous court ruling. During the appeal process, Celil’s Rebiya Kadeer lawyer was not allowed to defend him.75 After the ruling, Foreign Minister Another PRC strategy that is used to MacKay accused the Chinese intimidate and silence Uyghurs is government of failing to provide due persecuting activists’ family members process in Celil’s appeal.76 who live in East Turkestan. An example Celil had traveled to Uzbekistan that illuminates this strategy is the case believing that his Canadian citizenship of Uyghur democracy leader Rebiya would protect him from Chinese Kadeer. persecution. Celil’s Canadian lawyer, On August 11, 1999, PRC authorities Chris Macleod, believes that the PRC arrested Ms. Kadeer in Urumchi as she government, by punishing Celil, wished was on her way to meet with members of to send a warning to Uyghur human a U.S. congressional delegation. After her trial, she received an eight-year prison sentence for “providing secret 71 The Epoch Times, Canadian Tortured in Chinese Jail, 79 Family Says, Feb. 7, 2007. information to foreigners.” At the trial, 72 Reuters, China Jails Uighur-Canadian “Terrorist” for the court presented openly available Life, Apr. 19, 2007. 73 The Toronto Star, MacKay Talks Tough with China, May 1, 2007. 77 Ibid. 74 Ibid. 78 The Toronto Star, Imam’s Lawyer Pins Hopes on Olympic 75 The Globe and Mail, Celil Appeal Rejected by Chinese Spirit, July 11, 2007. Court, July 10, 2007. 79 Amnesty International, China: Uighur Businesswoman 76 CanWest News Service, China Violating Due Process by Rebiya Kadeer Sentenced to Eight Years’ after Secret Trial, Jailing Canadian for Life, Ottawa Charge, July 11, 2007. March 10, 2000.

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newspaper clippings as evidence of the Kadeer was elected as the president of “secret information” provided by Ms. the Uyghur American Association in Kadeer.80 She was incarcerated for Washington, D.C., Ms. Kadeer’s two nearly six years at Liudaowan Prison in sons, Alim and Ablikim, along with her Urumchi.81 On March 17, 2005, when daughter, Rushangul, were detained.86 she was released on “medical parole” They were warned not to attempt to just three days before U.S. Secretary of contact the visiting U.S. delegation and State Condoleezza Rice’s official visit to released.87 Beijing, Ms. Kadeer became the first Two days later, on June 1, Uyghur political prisoner to be freed by International Children’s Day in China, the PRC due to international pressure.82 Public Security agents severely beat In order to reduce Ms. Kadeer’s Alim and Ablikim in front of their own influence among Uyghurs by pressuring children and forced Rushangul to call her into silence after her exile to the her mother so that Ms. Kadeer would United States, PRC authorities began an hear the beating of her sons.88 After it intense campaign of intimidation against was clear that Ms. Kadeer had heard her her family members and business sons’ screams, the phone was taken associates inside East Turkestan. Two away from her daughter.89 After the months after her release, government beatings, Alim was taken to a detention authorities raided Ms. Kadeer’s Akida center, Ablikim was admitted to a Trading Company in Urumchi, hospital, and Rushangul was put under attempted to arrest her second youngest an intrusive form of house arrest.90 On son Ablikim Abdureyim, and arrested June 13, Alim was officially charged company director Aysham Kerim and with tax evasion and “attempting to assistant Ruzi Mamat on unnamed divide the country,” Ablikim on charges.83 Two days later, more than conspiracy to overthrow the government, 100 police raided the firm, confiscating and Kahar, Ms. Kadeer’s oldest son, fifteen large bags full of documents.84 who a few days later had been According to Alim Abdureyim, Ms. transported in handcuffs from Aksu to Kadeer’s youngest son, police seized Urumchi, was charged with tax “every single piece of paper, documents, evasion.91 files, everything from our company…. In early November 2006, prior to her therefore, the government can accuse us election as president of the German- of being in any amount of debt they based (WUC), wish.”85 Ms. Kadeer was warned through a third On May 30, a day before the arrival party that her detained sons would suffer in Urumchi of a U.S. delegation greatly if she were to run for the affiliated with the Congressional Human position.92 Later that month, the day that Rights Caucus, and two days after Ms.

86 UHRP, Three of Rebiya Kadeer’s Children Detained As US Congressional Team Arrive in Urumchi, May 30, 2006. 80 Human Rights in China, Case Profiles - Rebiya Kadeer, 87 Ibid. October 17, 2000. 88 UHRP, Following Detentions, Formal Charges Brought 81 Ibid. against Ms. Kadeer’s Sons, June 14, 2006. 82 Amnesty International, China: Rebiya Kadeer Release 89 Ibid. Welcome, but Tactically Timed, March 17, 2005. 90 UHRP, Son of Rebiya Kadeer Sentenced to Nine Years in 83 Ibid. Prison on Charges of “Secessionism, April 17, 2007. 84 Ibid. 91 UHRP, Following Detentions, Formal Charges Brought 85 RFA, Xinjiang Police Form Special Unfit for Exiled against Ms. Kadeer’s Sons, June 14, 2006. Dissident’s Family, August 30, 2005. 92 Ibid.

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Ms. Kadeer was elected as president of Uyghurs and has resulted in widespread, the WUC, Alim was sentenced to seven systematic, and egregious violations of years in prison on charges of tax evasion Uyghurs’ human rights. and fined 500,000 yuan (USD 62,500) In the era of the “war on terror,” the and Kahar was charged with tax evasion PRC government has justified its and fined 100,000 yuan (USD 12,500).93 repression in East Turkestan by Five months later, in April 2007, attempting to link Uyghur dissidents and Ablikim was sentenced to nine years’ groups to international terrorism. imprisonment by the Intermediate Without presenting any evidence of a People’s Court in Urumchi on charges of genuine terrorist threat, PRC authorities “instigating and engaging in secessionist continue to defend the crackdown in activities.”94 East Turkestan in the name of fighting Xinhua News, the official PRC news the “three evil forces of separatism, agency, reported that “Ablikim’s legal terrorism, and extremism.” rights were protected during the trial and The PRC government has used the information concerning the time and frequent “strike hard” campaigns to venue of the trial was publicized three target many peaceful expressions of days beforehand” and that Ablikim Uyghur identity inside the country, and “confessed” to the charges against him has been influential in the extradition of during trial.95 However, according to his Uyghur activists from neighboring family’s understanding, Ablikim was not countries, after which they are subjected allowed legal representation, the family to non-transparent, irregular trials that was given no advance notice of the trial, regularly result in executions. As and the “confession” was likely the Uyghurs in exile have become result of torture. In November 2006, increasingly vocal and successful in reportedly suffering from severe exposing the PRC’s gross human rights mistreatment, Ablikim was seen being violations in East Turkestan, government removed on a stretcher from the authorities have begun to target activists’ Tianshan Detention Center.96 family members in East Turkestan. If the PRC wishes to be accepted as a V. Conclusion legitimate member of the international community, it must cease the domestic PRC authorities have made great and international campaigns it employs efforts to silence independent Uyghur to silence Uyghur voices. The PRC voices both domestically and must implement basic human rights, the internationally. Repression in East rule of law, and democratic reforms in Turkestan stems from the PRC East Turkestan in order to be respected government’s inability to address the in the eyes of the world. basic democratic aspirations of the

93 UHRP, Rebiya Kadeer’s Son Sentenced to Seven Years; Another Fined; Another Feared Tortured, November 27, 2006. 94 UHRP, Son of Rebiya Kadeer Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison on Charges of “Secessionism, April 17, 2007. 95 Xinhua News Agency, Xinjiang Secessionist sentenced to Nine Years in Prison, April 17, 2007. 96 UHRP, Son of Rebiya Kadeer Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison on Charges of “Secessionism, April 17, 2007.

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