Press Release – For immediate release
4 February 2015
Contact: World Uyghur Congress www.uyghurcongress.org
0049 (0) 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

On February 5th each year, the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) brings attention to the horrific events that took place on that day in 1997 that lead to the death and disappearance of hundreds of peaceful Uyghurs. 2015 marks the 18th anniversary of the Ghulja massacre, and remains a potent reminder of the capricious and unyielding power of the state to suppress all forms of dissent. It not only serves as a horrific memory, but as a symbol of the ongoing repressive policies exercised by the Chinese government in East Turkestan.

On 5 February 1997, thousands of Uyghurs gathered for a peaceful demonstration in the Ili prefecture city of Ghulja in East Turkestan in response to continued Chinese aggression and the prohibition of Uyghur social organizations, known as Mäshräp, from gathering for cultural events. The protests were immediately quashed by Chinese security forces leaving at least 100 dead and many more injured. Nearly 4000 would be arrested and of those, 200 would subsequently face the death penalty.

2014 marked one of the most brutal years since 1997, with tens of thousands arrested, hundreds left dead in clashes with police and security forces as well as 36 recorded death sentences meted out by Chinese authorities. January of this year has seen a sharp return to violence, with 6 killed on January 11, another 2 killed by Vietnamese border guards while attempting to flee the country and most recently, another 5 killed at a security checkpoint in Hotan Prefecture.

Enforced disappearances would continue in the years that followed the incident, most notably following clashes between Han and Uyghurs in early July, 2009, which left hundreds of Uyghurs dead and many more injured. The state chose to clamp down further in the aftermath and arrested hundreds for their alleged involvement – handing out death sentences to some and disappearing many others.

China continues to exercise harsh controls over the Uyghur population including consistent extrajudicial killings of civilians under the guise of “combatting terror”. What we continue to witness is an outright disregard for human life in all of these instances. Police and security forces have grown accustom to dealing with any kind of conflict strictly with force, deadly if necessary. As a perverse consequence, the use of these measures has undoubtedly been institutionalized, especially considering China’s reluctance to transparently investigate incidents that result in casualties. The incidents will continue to mount if no effective regulatory mechanism is put in place.

The lack of transparency and credible reporting from East Turkestan remains a significant problem. Not only does it obscure and misconstrue incidents for the international community and the Uyghur people, but it clouds our understanding of the true nature of the repression of the Uyghur people and as a result, inhibits our ability to solve the problem.

The World Uyghur Congress therefore calls on the international community to pressure Chinese authorities to allow more detailed information on the incident 18 years ago to become public. An active and impartial investigation must also be launched so that those responsible may be held to account and that another 18 does not go by without genuine answers.

The WUC has also called on its affiliate organizations around the world to stage demonstrations in protest of the continued silence regarding the Ghulja massacre as well as the ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese government. The demonstrations will serve as a commemorative gathering of Uyghurs and other members of the community to remember what took place 18 years ago and to continue to push for change.

Demonstrations have been organized for February 5^th, 2015 in the following cities:

• Munich, Germany: Chinese Consulate (15:00-17:00)
• Toronto, Canada: Chinese General Consulate (14:00-16:00)
• Washington D.C., US: Chinese Embassy (14:00-16:00)
• The Hague, Netherlands: Chinese Embassy (11:00-13:00)
• Norway, Turkey, Australia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have also organized commemorative events on this day