Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Uyghur Journalist Gets 15 Years
2010-07-22
China imprisons a Uyghur journalist for "endangering state security."


Gheyret Niyaz in a screen grab from Uyghurbiz.net on March 25, 2010 HONG KONG—An ethnic Uyghur journalist arrested for talking to foreign media about the deadly July 2009 ethnic riots in far-northwestern China has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to supporters.

Outspoken Uyghur economics professor Ilham Tohti said the family of journalist and webmaster Gheyret Niyaz is distraught by the news of his verdict on charges of "endangering state security."

"[His wife] Risalet and his mother are both very sad. Risalet said that no one can understand why the government gave him 15 years in jail, because he is a member of the Communist Party," he said.

"He always worked to foster communication between the government and the Uyghur people."

Niyaz, 51 and a former deputy director of the official Xinjiang Legal Daily, was employed at the official Xinjiang Economic Daily as a journalist at the time of his detention on Oct. 4, 2009.

His family received a warrant for his arrest four days later, relatives have said.

Niyaz also served as webmaster and administrator of the Uyghur Online website, run by Tohti.

Tohti, who is based in Beijing, said he hadn't slept for nearly 30 hours while he and an acquaintance searched for a lawyer to represent Gheyret Niyaz in his appeal.

"The government has given him 15 days to appeal his sentence through another court. Right now everyone is gathering together to prepare for this case."

"I'm sorry that I can't speak with any reporters right now. No one wants his case to become a forum for political propaganda for the Chinese government, so we are not speaking about the proceedings."

State-appointed attorney

A lawyer in Urumqi, who asked not to be identified, voiced concern that Niyaz hadn't been allowed to request an attorney for his trial.

"I heard that the sentence was handed down by the Urumqi Intermediate People's Court. I don't know if Gheyret Niyaz has access to proper representation. He may have had an attorney provided by the State who did not have Gheret Niyaz's interests in mind," the lawyer said.

The lawyer, who has represented Uyghurs accused of involvement in deadly ethnic violence last year in July, said he would be willing to represent Niyaz in his appeal case but hadn't been contacted by his family.

"Right now we have a little bit of time before the appeal is due. We are very disappointed with this verdict and we hope that the government will reconsider its decision," he said.

"Fifteen years is too great a punishment for Gheyret Niyaz as he only gave an interview to a member of the foreign media and wrote a few articles. This kind of verdict reflects poorly on the Chinese government's judicial process."

A university professor from Urumqi, who also asked not to be named, said the verdict would serve only to widen the gap between the government and the Uyghur community.

"Gheret Niyaz tried to help the government and was a mediator with the people. He told only the truth to the foreign media—he didn't have any bad intentions," the professor said.

"For Gheret Niyaz to get 15 years in jail because of this—it's bad news for all Uyghurs. This may set a precedent that means no one can speak from the heart anymore following this verdict. I no longer want to speak in support of the government. We can't trust the government anymore."

Tohti, who spoke with Niyaz's wife late July 23, said the journalist was tried in court at 8 a.m. that day.

He said Risalet had relayed to him what Niyaz had said during in response to the court verdict.

"He said, 'Yes, a member of the foreign media interviewed me. I told them what happened in Urumqi. But I didn't harbor any ill intention toward the government. I cannot understand why the court gave me 15 years in prison. I think it's unfair. I plan to appeal. I only did what I am supposed to do as a citizen and as a journalist.'"

Website targeted

Other sources, including Uyghur Online which is now hosted in the United States after it was repeatedly closed in China, reported earlier that his trial was imminent.

On Wednesday, Tohti said Niyaz’s wife had received no detailed information about her husband’s trial and added, “He is innocent.”

“He doesn’t hate the ethnic Han Chinese...He’s pro-[Communist] Party. Pro-government. He is a good reporter who told the truth. He spoke to foreign journalists, as a Uyghur intellectual who loves our nation and as a good reporter,” Ilham Tohti said.

“I hope and trust that the [authorities] will make a fair decision.”

In its 2009 annual report, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) noted that Uyghur Online and its staff had been uniquely targeted after the 2009 violence.

"In spring 2009, authorities shut down the website Uyghur Online, a multi-language news and discussion forum that addressed issues of ethnicity in China, and interrogated Beijing-based scholar Ilham Tohti, who runs the
site," the report said.

"Authorities later detained Ilham Tohti in July after XUAR government chairperson Nur Bekri alleged that Ilham
Tohti’s website contributed to incitement of rioting in Urumqi on July 5. Authorities released Ilham Tohti from detention on Aug. 2. The whereabouts of some other Uyghur Online staff members are reportedly unknown."

'Too many interviews'

Tohti said he and other supporters are trying to find a good lawyer for Niyaz and provide financial assistance for his wife.

Tohti, based at Beijing’s Central University for Nationalities, defended Niyaz from the outset.

When Niyaz was detained in October, he was taken to the Heavenly Mountain District [Tianshan Qu] detention center in Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), friends said.

Police said “he did too many interviews with foreign media about the July 5 Urumqi riots,” one source said.

Uyghur activists in exile expressed shock at his arrest because he was widely regarded as pro-government, even warning XUAR officials in July that ethnic riots could be imminent, although the exact content of his warning is unknown.

After the riots, Niyaz gave interviews to several foreign publications in which he criticized the unequal distribution of wealth in Xinjiang and accused authorities of heavy-handedness in their campaign to fight Uyghur “separatism.”

Simmering tensions

Millions of Uyghurs—a distinct, Turkic minority who are predominantly Muslim—populate Central Asia and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of northwestern China.

Ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and majority Han Chinese settlers have simmered for years, and erupted in July 2009 in rioting that left some 200 people dead, according to the Chinese government’s tally.

Uyghurs say they have long suffered ethnic discrimination, oppressive religious controls, and continued poverty and joblessness despite China's ambitious plans to develop its vast northwestern frontier.

Chinese authorities blame Uyghur separatists for a series of deadly attacks in recent years and accuse one group in particular of maintaining links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Reported and translated from the Uyghur by Mihray Abdilim for RFA’s Uyghur service. Service director: Dolkun Kamberi. Written for the Web by Sarah Jackson-Han.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/trial-07222010152945.html
Copyright © 1998-2010 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Hatred 'Simmers' in Urumqi
2010-07-08

Residents say both Uyghurs and Han Chinese feel mistreated a year after ethnic riots.

"Some Han Chinese are saying that it's not over yet, and that only a few [Uyghurs] were executed after so many deaths," a Han Chinese resident of Urumqi surnamed Li said.

An overseas Uyghur group meanwhile has said China has yet to bring any Han Chinese to justice for their role in the violence, which was sparked on July 5, 2009 when a peaceful Uyghur demonstration ended in clashes with police.

Li said many Han Chinese businesses are refusing to serve Uyghur customers in the city.

"There are a lot of innocent Uyghurs who didn't take part [in the violence], and no one will let them in their cabs or restaurants now. They are feeling pretty uncomfortable," he said.

"This incident wasn't the work of any individual, and yet there's no point in directing retribution at an entire ethnic group," Li said.

"Both sides think it's unfair."

A second Han Chinese resident of Urumqi agreed that many Han Chinese are still angry about the incident.

"There is a lot of hatred in people's hearts right now," he said. "How can it be resolved? If someone has killed my sister, I'm supposed to make up with him? It's not very likely."

"The hatred is dormant right now, but sooner or later it's going to explode," he said.

"This isn't just a matter for a generation. This sort of hatred lasts for several generations."

Uyghurs targeted

Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress, said footage shot during the rioting that began July 7, two days after the Uyghur demonstrations turned violent, showed Han Chinese beating Uyghur passers-by with iron bars and wooden sticks, as armed policemen stood by and watched.

He said Uyghur businesses were also smashed and mosques burned in retaliation for the earlier rioting, which his group has said turned violent only after police fired on an unarmed, peaceful Uyghur demonstration.

Their version of events has yet to be independently verified, as the Chinese authorities imposed an information blackout on the region and pulled the plug on the Internet for several months after the riots.

Raxit said that only the Uyghurs' actions have been officially described as "rioting" by the authorities.

"The night of July 7 [during which Han Chinese rioted] hasn't been given any official description," he said.

"Uyghur police officers and security officials have told us that they see it as typical discriminatory behavior on the part of the Chinese government."

"Now, with this attitude, the government no longer trusts Uyghur police officers at all."

Lack of trust

A source close to the Urumqi municipal government said that this lack of trust in Uyghur officials and civil servants extends to every government department.

"All departments are seeing this now, and they won't let Uyghur officials go out to take care of business on their own," the source said.

"They can't not have them go because a lot of Han Chinese don't know how to speak Uyghur, but they are of the opinion that the Uyghurs can't be relied upon."

Ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and majority Han Chinese settlers have simmered for years, and Uyghurs say they have long suffered ethnic discrimination and oppressive religious controls.

They say ethnic discrimination has resulted in continued poverty and joblessness for Uyghurs, despite China's ambitious plans to develop its vast northwestern frontier.

Chinese authorities blame Uyghur separatists for a series of deadly attacks in recent years and accuse one group in particular of maintaining links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

Original reporting in Cantonese by Hai Nan. Cantonese service director: Shiny Li. Translated from the Chinese and written for the Web in English by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Sarah Jackson-Han.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/hatred-07082010095939.html
Copyright © 1998-2010 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 4, 2010


Presseerklärung Über Das Blutige Massaker In Osttürkistan

Wir Protestieren gegen China, weil es vor 1 Jahr am 5,6 und 7 Juli 2009 in Urumchi ein Massaker an den Uighuren begangen hat. Wir gedenken den ersten Jahrestag der Uighurischen Märtyrern.


1949 hat der Völkermord mit Besetzung der Republik Osttürkistan durch China begonnen. Innerhalb von 60 Jahren wurden 10 Millionen ( 10.000.000 ) Uighuren durch verschiedenste Methoden ermordet. Mehr als 5 Millionen Uiguren wurden durch Massaker, 49 Atom Tests, Hinrichtungen, Ohne Verhandlung eingesperrte und danach spurlos verschwundene, durch Folter verstorbene und noch mit anderen Methoden umgebracht. 5 Millionen durch Zwangsabtreibungen.


1,5 Millionen Uighuren ( Meist Mädchen und Frauen )wurden unter Zwang nach China gebracht, sie wurden selbst für chinesische Verhältnisse unter bezahlt. Manche wurden versklavt oder wurden zu Prostitution gezwungen. Von diesen wurden 800 Uighuren unter Zwang in eine Fabrik in die chinesische Provinz Guangdong geschickt. In dieser Fabrik, wo 800 Uighuren teilweise zur Zwangsarbeit gezwungen wurden, haben über 10 000 Chinesen am 26.06.2009 ein Massaker veranstaltet. Über 100 Uighuren wurden getötet und hunderte Uighuren schwer verletzt.


Der Grund das am 5,6 und 7 Juli 2009 10 000 Uighuren gegen die chinesischen Besatzer protestiert haben ist der seit 60 Jahren andauernde Völkermord ( In dem 10 Millionen Uighuren auf unterschiedlichste Art zu Tode kamen ) und ein weiterer Grund ist das Massaker vom 26.06.2009.


Die Uighuren haben unbewaffnet Demonstriert, was die Chinesen jedoch nicht davon abhielt, diverse Waffen, wie Maschinen-, Gewähre, Pistolen, Panzer, Helikopter, Bomben, Granaten, Bomber und Kampfflugzeuge einzusetzen. Die Proteste in Urumchi wurden Blutig niedergeschlagen. Die Protestierenden wurden mit Panzern angegriffen und getötet, Soldaten und Polizisten haben viele erschossen oder zu Tode geprügelt. Nach unseren Recherchen wurden bei den Protesten am 5,6 und 7 Juli 2009 innerhalb von ein paar Tagen 1000 Uighuren ermordet, unter den Toten gab es sehr viele Minderjährige und Frauen. Die Zahl der verletzten Uighuren lag bei 1500 und die der verhafteten Uighuren lag bei 3000.


Innerhalb von 1 Jahr wurden 10 000 Uighuren zur Hinrichtung verurteilt, 60 000 Uighuren wurden ins Gefängnis gesteckt, 100 000 Uighurische Familien wurden zerstört, 200 000 Uighurische Kinder wurden zu Weisen, bis Mai 2010 war in ganz Osttürkistan das Internet und Telefon gesperrt, die 100 berühmtesten Uighurischen Internet Seiten wurden geschlossen und dessen Betreiber wurden eingesperrt.


Wir, hoffen und bitten, dass sich die demokratischen Länder, Bevölkerung und Menschenrechts-organisationen jetzt noch stärker gegen die chinesische Armee und Polizei einsetzen, um das Uighurische Volk vor weiteren Gewaltakten zu schützen. Wir bitten die UNO und Nato Sicherheits-kräfte nach Osttürkistan zu schicken, um für das Leib und Leben der Uighuren zu sorgen und sich um ein Volk einzusetzen, dass seit 60 Jahren einen Völkermord erlebt. Wie kann die ganze Welt bei dem Völkermord zuschauen?! Die 5000 Jahre alte Kultur der Uighuren ist dabei ausgelöscht zu werden!




Osttürkistan Regierung In Exil


03.07.2010
"5-Iyul Sherqitürkistan Xelq Inqilawi"ning Bir Yilliqi Munasiwiti Bilen Frankfurtta Paaliyet Ötküzüldi



Buningdin bir yil awal Xitay tajawuzchilliri mustemlike astidiki Sherqitürkistanning Ürümchi, Qeshqer, Qaramay, Ghulja, Aqsu, Hoten qatarliq chong sheherliride zulumgha qarshi tinchliq shekilde namayishqa chiqqan xelqni qanliq basturup, xelqimiz üstidin erqiy qirghinchiliq élip barghanidi.Bu qirghinda minglighan kishi hayatidin ayrildi onmimglighan kishi rehimsizlerche türmilerge tashlinip éghir qiyin-qistaq we iskenje ichide yashimaqta.





Shu munasiwet bilen Sherqitürkistan Kultur Merkizi Sherqitürkistan Sürgündiki hökümitining chaqriqigha awaz qoshup, mushu ayning 3-küni yeni Shenbe küni Gérmaniyening merkiziy sheherlirining biri Frankfurtta paaliyet uyushturup, 2009-yili Sherqitürkistanda yüz bergen qetliamda qirghinchiliqqa uchrighanlar, biguna türmilerde yétiwatqanlar we ularning aile-tawabatliri uchrawatqan heq-adaletsizliklerni Gérman xelqige anglatti.




Bu paaliyetke teshkilatimizning bir qisim ezaliri aktipliq bilen qatnashti. Sherqitürkistan Kultur Merkizi bu palliyetke estayidil teyyarliq qilghan bolup, hazirlanghan Kitab, Berishur, teshwiqat waraqliri we pilakatlar arqiliq Frankfurt xelqining diqqitini alahiyde tartti.





Sherqitürkistan Kultur Merkizi uyushturghan bu paalliyette, Sherqitürkistanning bésiwelinghan bir dölet ikenliki, Sherqitürkistan milliy dawasining yalghuz demokiratiye, Insan heqliri we kishlik hoquq mesilisi emes, uningdin bashqa Sherqitürkistan Jumhuriyitining igilik hoquqini eslige kelturush dawasi ikenlikini anglitishqa alahiyde éghirliq bérildi.





Paaliyet élip bériliwatqan meydangha „Sherqitürkistan Ishghal astidiki dölet!“, „Sherqitürkistangha azatliq!“, „Sherqitürkistandiki Érqiy Qirghinchiliq Turdurulsun!“ we "Xinjang Emes Sherqitürkistan" dégendek plakatlar taqilip hömümitimizning milliy dawayimiz heqqidiki ochuq we tewrenmes meydanni ekis ettürdi.

Paaliyet 2010-yili 07-Ayning 03-küni Gérmaniye waqti saet 15:00 te bashlinip, 18:00 de axirlashti.

Sherqitürkistan Kültur Merkizi Teshwiqat Bölümi