CHINA: Uyghur journalist and editor detained
19 November 2009
RAN 56/09
The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is seriously concerned about the detention of Uyghur journalist and editor Hailaite Niyazi, who was reportedly arrested in October 2009. International PEN seeks details of any charges against Hailaite Niyazi, and calls 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 International PEN's 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.
The WiPC recommends that you copy your appeal to the Chinese embassy in your country asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments.
Government addresses:
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.
For some Chinese embassies in the world see:
http://www.embassiesabroad.com/embassies-of/China
Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for China in your country if possible.
**Please contact the PEN WiPC office in London if sending appeals after 30 December 2009**
For further information please contact Cathy McCann at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER, Tel.+ 44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, email: cathy.mccann@internationalpen.org.uk