Sunday 3 February 2008 marks eleven years since Chinese state security forces clamped down on a nonviolent protest by Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Province of China.  While Uyghurs in China may not be able to observe the day, UNPO in conjunction with the East Turkestan Foundation will be holding a vigil in Amsterdam’s Dam Square on Sunday 3 February 2008.  

Below is an article published by UNPO:

China’s Xinjiang Province lies in the westernmost territory of China, bordered to the west by Central Asian states and to the south by South East Asia.  Within its administrative borders lie the shifting sands of the Taklamakan Desert and over its plains were traveled for centuries by the traders of the Silk Road.

Some of the roads may be asphalt now and journey times quicker but development has not been advanced in all aspects of life in Xinjiang Province.  Since becoming part of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 there has been a systematic attempt by Beijing to homogenize the language, culture, and even the population to the rest of China.

Nearly fifty years of administration by China has left behind a litany of civil liberty infringements and human rights abuses.  The chief target of this state sponsored intimidation has been the Uyghurs of Xinjiang.  The abuses have been many and varied, and are continuing today.

The Uyghurs of Xinjiang have long been the majority group within what was East Turkestan before being incorporated into China as Xinjiang Province.  Since formal incorporation however, Beijing has implemented a policy, similar to that being used in Tibet, of encouraging the immigration of Han Chinese into Xinjiang in a concerted effort to dilute the Uyghur population.

This policy has reinforced the idea of the Uyghurs as second class citizens within their own homeland.  Linguistically, the Uyghur language is now taught as a second language and most university courses are now only available in Chinese.  Moreover, the publications that are available in Uyghur are limited, more since an officially sanctioned destruction of books in 2002.

Against this backdrop, the avenues for Uyghur cultural expression have been repeatedly curtailed.  Celebrations such as the Uyghur New Year and cultural festivals called Meshreps have been banned since 1994.  Were it enacted, the Regional Ethnic Autonomy Law of 1984 would provide some protection, but there is no sign that the Chinese authorities have the intention or inclination to protect protection to the Uyghur culture.

When Uyghurs have attempted to demonstrate their opposition to state policy, the state has moved efficiently and all too effectively to quash debate.  The demonstration that was held on 5 February 1997 was just such an instance of Uyghurs attempting to open debate on the central government’s policy towards their culture and heritage.

What began as a nonviolent protest, terminated in a violent rout by Chinese state security forces.  In the face of such intimidation, the Uyghurs once again braved the streets of Gulja to protest the violence with which their attempt to make a legitimate peaceful display of grievance was met.  Once again the security forces clamped down on the marchers and the demonstration ended with demonstrators running for cover. 

Over the course of the two days it is estimated that several Uyghurs met their deaths while hundreds were injured, many seriously, in the crackdown that ensued.  Some of those that were detained by the security forces remain in detention, and it is believed that at least two detainees have died whilst under the custody of the Chinese state.

The exact numbers remain unclear because of the close scrutiny the Chinese authorities maintain in the region and the control that is held over what information is able to reach the wider world.  However, to ensure that the events of 5 February 1997 do not go unnoticed in the eyes of the world, organizations all over Europe are marking the aftermath of the Gulja demonstrations. 

As part of this effort, UNPO in conjunction with the East Turkestan Foundation, are marking the day with a vigil in Amsterdam’s Dam Square from 14:00 to 17:00 on Sunday 3 February 2008.  All are welcome to attend and a petition will be collected of all those wishing to demonstrate their support for the Uyghur cause.

Note: To read the UNPO press release in English, please click the link below:

UNPO Gulja Vigil