The Wall Street Journal, 24 September 2014

The life sentence for Ilham Tohti, one of the few moderate Uighur voices within China, is shocking even for a communist regime. On Tuesday a court in Urumqi found the economics professor guilty of separatism and stripped him of all assets—a punishment that will inflict extra hardship on his family.

Mr. Ilham is no separatist. He has always stressed that Xinjiang should remain part of China and promoted greater understanding between Han Chinese and Uighurs. The prosecutor used these statements to suggest that Mr. Ilham led a double life. But the only evidence presented to support the charges was his criticism of Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang.

There is much to criticize. The government’s response to Uighur dissatisfaction has been to double down on repression. Mr. Ilham and others warned that this created a vicious cycle of radicalization and violence.

Uighurs face discrimination in all areas of life, including where they can live and travel, and especially in employment. They are discouraged and in some cases forbidden from displaying any outward sign of their Muslim religion such as growing a beard or fasting during Ramadan. The state is closing down Uighur-language schools, and Chinese schools force students to take all subjects in Chinese.

Uighur academic Ilham Tohti sits during his trial on separatism charges in Urumqi, Xinjiang region, in this still image taken from video shot on September 17-18, 2014.
ENLARGE
Uighur academic Ilham Tohti sits during his trial on separatism charges in Urumqi, Xinjiang region, in this still image taken from video shot on September 17-18, 2014. Reuters
Beijing has sought to pacify Xinjiang through an influx of Han Chinese migrants and investment. Chinese now make up more than 40% of the population, and Uighurs increasingly feel marginalized in their homeland. The majority of the new jobs go to Chinese.

Mr. Tohti pointed out these problems on a website, Uyghur Online, that the government shut down in 2008. He also gave interviews to foreign reporters, even after plain-clothes police threatened his family if he didn’t stop. He has said that he is prepared to suffer imprisonment rather than go into exile or stop speaking the truth. The Communist Party knows that such principled voices of loyal opposition are the most dangerous because they can sway public opinion. Hence Mr. Tohti has been singled out for especially vicious treatment. He first “disappeared” in January, with his family and lawyer unaware of his location. He has since told them that he was held in leg irons and deprived of food for as long as 10 days. At his trial his lawyer was not allowed to call witnesses.If Beijing ever realizes that its Xinjiang policies are self-defeating, it will need moderates like Mr. Tohti for reconciliation. He suffers from several health conditions, including heart disease. So it is critical that friends of China and the Uighurs keep the spotlight on his treatment.

Meantime, Mr. Tohti’s unjust imprisonment will further destabilize Xinjiang. By treating all Uighur critics as terrorists and driving every manner of dissent underground, Beijing risks inciting the very radicalism it fears. Peace with the Uighurs will require China to listen to Mr. Tohti and not lock him away.

http://online.wsj.com/articles/the-persecution-of-ilham-tohti-1411487525