What is happening?
On July 5th, human rights defenders and civil society organizations around the world rallied to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Urumqi Massacre: the shocking ethnic violence, including killing and targeting Uyghurs in Urumqi, the largest city of East Turkestan.
While official Chinese sources claim that 197 people were killed and more than 1,700 injured during the riots, human rights advocates assert that these numbers are underestimated and obscure the full extent of violence perpetrated against Uyghurs by police and Han civilians. President of the World Uyghur Congress Dolkun Isa described the Urumqi massacre as “the turning point in from China’s ethnic segregation and discrimination policy to the beginning of the genocidal ethnic policy.”
Today, under the guise of counterterrorism, the Chinese Communist Party is tightening its control over East Turkestan–also known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in Beijing’s parlance–despite criticism from the U.S. and Europe about subjecting Uyghurs to forced labor. Consequently, China’s “genocidal ethnic policy” is depriving Uyghurs of their political, social, and cultural rights, effectively leading to the erasure of Uyghur’s unique culture and customs.
What is the broader picture?
The Chinese government’s response to the Urumqi riots was severe, involving mass arrests, detentions, and beefing up the operations of the security apparatus across East Turkestan. Reports of torture, forced confessions, and other human rights abuses emerged, painting a grim picture of state repression. This crackdown marked the beginning of a broader campaign of repression against the Uyghurs, culminating in the establishment of mass internment camps where detainees face indoctrination, forced labor, and other abuses. The region has since become one of the most heavily monitored areas in the world, with extensive use of technology to track and control the population. Collectively, these measures demonstrate the emergence of a “police state” in East Turkestan.
The Urumqi Massacre and the subsequent crackdowns have attracted criticism from the international community and strained China’s relations with several countries. The European Parliament, several governments, including Czechia, and multiple human rights organizations have criticized China’s atrocities in East Turkestan, leading to calls for sanctions and other punitive measures.
Various Uyghur diaspora groups around the world hold events to commemorate Urumqi Massacre. This year, the World Uyghur Congress organized a protest in front of the United Nations Office in Geneva to honor the victims of the peaceful demonstrations. On the same day, the Japan Uyghur Association assembled a rally in front of the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, and a coalition of civil society groups in the UK, including Stop Uyghurs Genocide, held a similar activity in London. These commemorations often include protests, candlelight vigils, speeches, and discussions aimed at highlighting the historical significance of the massacre and the current plight of the Uyghur people.
Why does it matter?
The Urumqi Massacre highlights critical issues of ethnic relations, human rights, regional stability, international relations, and state policies in China. Addressing these issues requires a nuanced and informed approach that considers the historical, cultural, and socio-political complexities of the region. The massacre serves as a poignant reminder of the need for dialogue, transparency, and respect for human rights to achieve lasting peace and stability.
