China: Uyghur journalist and editor detained
Published: December 14, 2009
English PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Uyghur journalist and editor Hailaite Niyazi, who was reportedly arrested in October 2009. English PEN are seeking details of any charges against Hailaite Niyazi, and calling for his immediate and unconditional release if held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
According to our information, Hailaite Niyazi, freelance journalist and former editor of the website Uighur Online (www.uighurbiz.net) was taken from his home in Tianshan District, Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), on 1 October 2009. It is believed that his arrest stems from critical interviews given to foreign media following the unrest which broke out in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, on 5 July 2009. Niyazi's family report that he is accused of 'endangering national security'. Niyazi is currently detained in Tianshan Detention Centre, Urumqi, XUAR.
Hailaite Niyazi, aged 50, is a former reporter and columnist for Xinjiang Economic Daily and Xinjiang Legal News. Until June 2009 he edited and managed uighurbiz.net, the website owned by the academic and writer Iham Tohti, himself arrested in July 2009 and held for six weeks for allegedly 'promoting separatism'. Iham Tohti is a member of Uyghur PEN.
Background:
On 5 July 2009, Uyghurs took to the streets of Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), to protest an incident in which a number of Uyghur workers in a toy factory in Guan Dong province, southern China, were attacked by Han Chinese and killed. These protests led to violent clashes with Han Chinese in Urumqi which were violently suppressed by the authorities. The state newsagency Xinhua reports that 156 Han Chinese have been killed and over 1000 wounded, although details and figures are impossible verify. An estimated 1400 people are said to have been arrested.
For the latest WiPC alert on Iham Tohti click here.
For the BBC's background on Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region click here.
Please send appeals:
• Expressing serious concern about the detention of Uyghur journalist and editor Hailaite Niyazi, apparently for expressing critical views, and seeking details of any charges against him;
• Calling for his immediate and unconditional release if held in violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is a signatory.
• Seeking assurances that he is granted full access to his family and legal representation, and is treated humanely in detention.
Appeals to:
His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People's Republic of China
State Council
Beijing 100032
P.R. China.
Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional People's Government
Nur Bekri
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu
2 Zhongshanlu
Wulumuqishi 830041
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China
Please note that fax numbers are not available for the Chinese authorities, so you may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for China in your country to forward your appeals:
Her Excellency Mrs Fu Ying
49-51 Portland Place
London
W1B 1JL