June 30 2021
This report depicts the situation of Uyghurs in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It examines how, under the guise of combating extremism, the PRC is using abusive policies including arbitrary detention, and mass surveillance in order to instill a climate of terror in XUAR. It also examines how international actors have so far positioned themselves regarding the situation, and what should be decided most urgently.
Uyghurs have long been a discriminated against minority in China. While they have been present in Western China for about 1’000 years, their ethnic and religious difference with Han ethnics, the ethnic majority in China, constitutes a significant explaining factor in the systematic discrimination they currently face. Repressive measures were established soon after Xi Jinping came to power (2013), as a response to attacks committed by terrorist groups in the region. The authorities’ response since grew increasingly disproportionate. So-called “Re-education camps” have been built in Xinjiang, where citizens suspected of committing or planning terrorist acts are being detained. As shown by the stories of Gulbahar Haitiwaji and Mahira Yakub told in this report, the criteria used to arrest these individuals is more than vague and the living conditions of detainees indicate that significant violations of fundamental human rights are taking place in these centers. This report then discusses how so-called professional training and education-oriented campaigns allow Xinjiang authorities to integrate forced labor in the country’s economic system. Once again, the criteria used to determine who will benefit “professional training” is unclear : having family abroad is enough to find oneself transferred in another region to work in a factory. Thirdly, the progressive disappearance of the right to privacy for Xinjiang inhabitants is an important theme of this report, in which we explain what the Integrated Joint Operations Platform (IJOP) is and how it constitutes the core of local authorities’ mass surveillance policy. The report also discusses the drastic birth rate drop that is observed in Xinjiang since 2017, and how it seems to be related to population control measures established by the authorities specifically for ethnic minorities. Finally, the report examines key international actors’ position towards this issue. Indeed, as The PRC keeps denying allegations of arbitrary detention, mass surveillance and abuse, western states (notably the EU, UK and US) raise the alarm and demand clarification as to how Xinjiang authorities identify and treat suspected terrorists.
Uyghurs have long been a discriminated against minority in China. While they have been present in Western China for about 1’000 years, their ethnic and religious difference with Han ethnics, the ethnic majority in China, constitutes a significant explaining factor in the systematic discrimination they currently face. Repressive measures were established soon after Xi Jinping came to power (2013), as a response to attacks committed by terrorist groups in the region. The authorities’ response since grew increasingly disproportionate. So-called “Re-education camps” have been built in Xinjiang, where citizens suspected of committing or planning terrorist acts are being detained. As shown by the stories of Gulbahar Haitiwaji and Mahira Yakub told in this report, the criteria used to arrest these individuals is more than vague and the living conditions of detainees indicate that significant violations of fundamental human rights are taking place in these centers. This report then discusses how so-called professional training and education-oriented campaigns allow Xinjiang authorities to integrate forced labor in the country’s economic system. Once again, the criteria used to determine who will benefit “professional training” is unclear : having family abroad is enough to find oneself transferred in another region to work in a factory. Thirdly, the progressive disappearance of the right to privacy for Xinjiang inhabitants is an important theme of this report, in which we explain what the Integrated Joint Operations Platform (IJOP) is and how it constitutes the core of local authorities’ mass surveillance policy. The report also discusses the drastic birth rate drop that is observed in Xinjiang since 2017, and how it seems to be related to population control measures established by the authorities specifically for ethnic minorities. Finally, the report examines key international actors’ position towards this issue. Indeed, as The PRC keeps denying allegations of arbitrary detention, mass surveillance and abuse, western states (notably the EU, UK and US) raise the alarm and demand clarification as to how Xinjiang authorities identify and treat suspected terrorists.
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