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PRESS RELEASE: WUC Deeply Concerned About the Fate of Mistakenly Returned Uyghur Asylum Seeker

PRESS RELEASE: WUC Deeply Concerned About the Fate of Mistakenly Returned Uyghur Asylum Seeker

Press Release – For immediate release
17 December 2018
Contact: World Uyghur Congress
 www.uyghurcongress.org
0049 (0) 89 5432 1999 or [email protected]

The WUC is deeply concerned for the life and welfare of the 22 year old Uyghur asylum seeker who was mistakenly returned to China from Germany. Reports emerged last past week stating that he is currently being detained in a Chinese prison and has been charged with ‘separatism’, which could subject him to a lengthily prison sentence or even the death penalty.

Until recently, there had been no news of the young Uyghur asylum seeker since he had been mistakenly returned to China in April 2018 after an administrative error from the German authorities. He had effectively disappeared upon his return, as is the case with most Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers who are forcibly returned to China.

Although the German government has raised his case on a number of occasions, the WUC implores the German government to redouble their efforts, especially given these recent developments.

The President of the WUC, Dolkun Isa stated: “This young man had sought to escape persecution in China, only to be sent right back into a horrific situation. We urge the German government to do everything in their power to rectify this mistake, as his life and liberty are very much at risk”.

His case shows the significant threat Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers face and underline the fact that they should not be forcibly returned to the Chinese government, where they would be at risk of severe human rights violations including torture, enforced disappearance or even death.

Shortly after this individual was mistakenly returned to China, the German government issued a moratorium on sending back Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers to China, in recognition of the persecution they would face due to their ethnic identity. Sweden also issued a moratorium on returning Uyghurs to China. To prevent any more Uyghurs from being subjected to a similar fate, we urge other states to follow their example and ensure that no more Uyghurs will be sent back to China.