All Reading
This section contains a curated list of useful articles, investigations, books and other reading materials. The list is updated on a weekly basis and suggestions for additions are welcome.
Starting Points:
Uyghur Teenager Dies in Custody at Political Re-Education Camp
A teenage Uyghur boy detained for traveling overseas has died of unknown causes at a political “re-education camp” in Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture, in northwest China’s Xinjiang region, according to local authorities.
Uyghur Muslim Scholar Dies in Chinese Police Custody
A prominent Uyghur Islamic scholar has died in Chinese police custody, some 40 days after he was detained in the Xinjiang regional capital Urumqi, overseas Uyghur organizations said on Monday.
China Dangles Huge Payouts For Tips on ‘Terrorists’ in Largely Uyghur Hotan Prefecture
Authorities in northwest China’s Xinjiang region have earmarked a substantial amount of cash to reward residents of Hotan (in Chinese, Hetian) prefecture who report “acts of terrorism” in the predominantly ethnic Uyghur-inhabited area, according to official sources.
China Detains Kazakhs During 'Unity Week' in Troubled Xinjiang Region
Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have detained dozens of people for retweeting electronic greetings cards celebrating independence day in neighboring Kazakhstan, which marks its independence from the former Soviet Union on Dec. 16, RFA has learned.
Nearly 10 Percent of Residents of a Xinjiang Township Detained by Chinese Authorities
Authorities in northwest China’s Xinjiang region have detained nearly 10 percent of the population of a township in ethnic Uyghur-dominated Kashgar (in Chinese, Kashi) prefecture, according to sources, following an incident three years ago.
China Runs Region-wide Re-education Camps in Xinjiang for Uyghurs And Other Muslims
Thousands of Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities are being held in re-education camps without contact with their families under a policy designed to counter extremism in the northwestern Chinese region of Xinjiang, local officials told RFA’s Uyghur Service.
Xinjiang Authorities Ban Books by Uyghur Former Chairman of Region
Authorities in the capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang region have banned the sale of books by the region’s first chairman, an ethnic Uyghur, despite his support for the ruling Communist Party.
Xinjiang Police Search Uyghur Homes For ‘Illegal Items’
Authorities in Xinjiang have begun searching the homes of mostly Muslim ethnic Uyghurs for “illegal items,” including religious materials and attire, according to official sources.
Uyghur Farmers Sent to School in China ‘Anti-Extremism’ Drive
Uyghur farmers in northwestern China’s troubled Xinjiang region are being forced to attend evening classes in a new drive aimed at bringing them in line with official views on religion and government policy, sources in the mostly-Muslim ethnic area say.
The ‘Hashar’ Continues in China’s Xinjiang
In an effort to exert more control in China’s troubled Xinjiang region, Beijing is forcing the Uyghur people to work for free on various public works projects, according to a World Uyghur Congress (WUC) report issued this month. Called the “hashar” by the Uyghurs, the WUC contends that the Chinese government is using the system of forced labor as another way to repress the local people in the region.
Is China changing its policy towards Uighur Muslims?
Has China just issued its first conciliatory statement towards the Uighur Muslim ethnic group, which has been persecuted for years? Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, speaking to the Communist Party chief and party delegates of Xinjiang province, appeared to be acknowledging for the first time the deep frustration felt by young Uighurs, the eradication of Uighur culture and, most seriously, the lack of jobs in the province.
Nearly Two Dozen Uyghurs Jailed For ‘Illegal Religious Activities’
Authorities in northwestern China’s restive Xinjiang region have sentenced to prison nearly two dozen Uyghurs for illegal religious activities and other infractions in a move condemned by Uyghur exile groups.
Beijing Criticized For Arbitrary Detention of Uyghur Scholar
Uyghur advocacy groups have criticised Chinese authorities over the arbitrary detention of outspoken Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, saying it signaled President Xi Jinping's new hardline approach in Xinjiang.
Chinese Police Shoot Dead Seven Uyghurs in Kashgar
Seven ethnic minority Uyghurs have been shot dead by police in separate clashes in China's restive northwestern region of Xinjiang and nine others detained for protesting against some of the killings, an exile Uyghur group said on Monday. The shootings underscore a trend of increasing violence in Xinjiang, where the Muslim Uyghurs complain of discrimination and religious controls under Beijing’s rule.
Uyghur Leader Turns to Chinese People
Uyghur exile leader Rebiya Kadeer has appealed to the Chinese people to help Uyghurs in Xinjiang push for self-determination as Beijing launched a "strike hard" campaign in the wake of violent attacks in the region.
China Detains Uyghurs Over Separatist Poster
A handwritten poster that Chinese authorities designated “separatist” when it appeared in a remote town in Xinjiang has led to a wave of arrests, interrogations, and fines for local people, residents say.
Exiled Uyghur Dissident Says Family Detained in Retaliation
U.S.-based Uyghur activist Rebiya Kadeer has said the arrest of her three adult sons by authorities in China amounts to retaliation by officials angered by her criticism of Chinese rule in the region.
Uyghur Dissident’s Sons Detained, Beaten in Front of Own Children
Chinese authorities in Xinjiang have formally detained two sons of exiled Uyghur dissident Rebiya Kadeer, after "seriously" beating one son in front of his children, according to the Kadeer family and an official news report.
Renewed Strike Hard Campaign Ordered in Xinjiang
A senior Chinese official is urging authorities in the largely Muslim Xinjiang to prepare for danger and renew their “strike hard” campaign against separatism, as the northwestern region marks 50 years under Chinese rule this week.
China Jails Uyghur Journalist For "Separatism"
A court in the Muslim Uyghur region of Xinjiang in northwest China has jailed a journalist who reported on political tensions there for separatist activities and leaking state secrets overseas, RFA's Uyghur service reports.