China lauds former PLA soldier for philanthropy in Xinjiang while imprisoning Uyghur philanthropists
The Chinese government praises a former Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier for helping Uyghur, Kazakh and Kyrgyz students, while the government has jailed some Uyghurs who had helped students and orphans.
Another 2008 Beijing Olympics Uyghur torchbearer confirmed imprisoned
A Uyghur cardiac surgeon who carried the Olympic torch during the 2008 Bejing Games was confirmed by RFA to be serving an 18-year jail sentence.
Uyghur internment camp survivors share their stories of horror
Uyghur survivors of internment camps share their experiences with VOA. Beijing has described the facilities as vocational training centers.
Turkey denies Uyghurs’ citizenship application
Turkey rejected applications for citizenship of some Uyghur refugees who have spoken out about their family members held in detention in China, citing “obstacle to national security,” which Uyghurs in Turkey said is unfair.
Turkish government shuts Uyghur school in Istanbul after China complains
RFA reports a Uyghur elementary school in Istanbul was ordered to close after China allegedly filed a complaint over concerns that children were getting anti-China education. Some Turkish politicians want the school to reopen.
Germany calls for U.N. human rights chief to release a report on Uyghur human rights
Germany urged the U.N. human rights office to release a report on China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims and call on Beijing to allow the U.N. high commissioner for human rights “unfettered access” to Xinjiang.
Uyghur mother of a U.S. resident sentenced to more time in detention by Chinese authorities
RFA reported that a Uyghur retiree whose daughter lives in the U.S. was rearrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison last year after she had first been detained in a “re-education camp” for two years.
China closing Uyghur cultural and language institutions
RFA reported the Chinese government in Xinjiang is shutting down more than 150 mostly Uyghur-owned cultural research and language organizations.
Uyghurs in the US protest and demand the U.S. government grant them asylum
On March 2, more than 100 Uyghurs protested in front of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in Washington, demanding the U.S. government grant them asylum.
News in brief
U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet’s office told VOA that she will have an update on the assessment of the human rights situation of the Uyghurs and other Turkic ethnic groups in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China at the 49th session of the Human Rights Council on March 7 amid pressure from rights groups.
Quote of note
“Our families are not able to reunite because we are not granted asylum,” said Ilzat Abdusemet, a Uyghur asylum-seeker at a Washington rally, who wants to bring his family abroad to the United States. Ilzat told VOA, “We are simply asking the U.S. government to help us expedite our cases and schedule our interviews for asylum.”
