3 weeks ago
Uyghur Killings Abroad Show No Distance From Xinjiang Safety, Report Says
Some Uyghur people live far away from their homeland in China, in a region called Xinjiang.
Recently, one of them was hurt very badly outside his own home in California, in the United States.
The police say two other people are suspected of doing it, and one of them was hurt by police during the event.
Some people who study this say it is related to another sad event that happened to a Uyghur person in a different country the year before.
They believe that even when Uyghur people live very far away, they may not be safe.
They say China is becoming more powerful and has more friends in other countries nearby.
They think China may be using those friendships to watch or hurt Uyghur people who live far away.
Other Uyghur groups have also said that Uyghurs in China have faced problems with their religious practices.
These are serious accusations that different people see in very different ways.
Shukur Aikebaer was kidnapped and killed outside his home in California, US, on July 29, reportedly by two individuals named Zhengfeng Bo and Jianquan Bo.
Zhengfeng Bo was killed by police during the abduction, and investigators have not determined a motive or released suspect details.
The killing echoes the July 2024 death of Uyghur historian Ablehet Qahar in his Tashkent, Uzbekistan apartment.
Zilala Mamat of the Uyghur American Association wrote in The Diplomat that the deaths show distance from Xinjiang no longer guarantees Uyghurs' safety.
The report argues China's political and economic influence enables 'transnational repression by proxy' through partner governments, especially in Central Asia.
- Who
- Shukur Aikebaer, a Uyghur man, was killed; suspects are named as Zhengfeng Bo and Jianquan Bo; the report was written by Zilala Mamat in The Diplomat.
- What
- Shukur Aikebaer was kidnapped and killed outside his home, with the report framing it as evidence of transnational repression of Uyghurs abroad.
- Where
- Outside Aikebaer's house in California, United States; a related case occurred in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
- When
- The killing took place on July 29 (year not specified in the article; the report references it alongside a July 2024 case in Uzbekistan).
- Why
- Investigators have not determined a motive, but the report argues the deaths reflect China's transnational repression of Uyghurs living abroad.
Report's View
China's Stated View
Transnational Repression
Report's View
China monitors and coerces Uyghurs abroad through surveillance, harassment, threats, and even killings, now carried out 'by proxy' through partner governments.
China's Stated View
China rejects the allegations as unfounded and maintains it exercises lawful jurisdiction over its citizens and defends national security against separatist threats.
China's Influence in Central Asia
Report's View
Belt and Road economic leverage makes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan accommodate Chinese concerns about Uyghurs, extending repression abroad.
China's Stated View
China's cooperation with Central Asian states is mutually beneficial development partnership based on respect for sovereignty and non-interference.
Religious Freedom in Xinjiang
Report's View
The World Uyghur Congress says Uyghurs were arrested for observing Ramadan, showing no freedom of religion in the region.
China's Stated View
China states it protects lawful religious freedom while enforcing laws against activities it considers threats to stability.
Key facts
- Victim
- Shukur Aikebaer, Uyghur man killed July 29 in California, US
- Named Suspects
- Zhengfeng Bo and Jianquan Bo
- Suspect Status
- Zhengfeng Bo was killed by police during the abduction
- Related Case
- Killing of Uyghur historian Ablehet Qahar in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 2024
- Report Author
- Zilala Mamat, Uyghur American Association Vice President, in The Diplomat
- Core Claim
- Distance from Xinjiang no longer guarantees safety for Uyghurs abroad
- Region of Focus
- Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan) due to Belt and Road Initiative ties
- Additional Context
- World Uyghur Congress reported arrests of Uyghurs for 'secretly fasting' in Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang
Quotes
Zilala Mamat
Vice President of the Uyghur American Association
“Ultimately, transnational repression represents a new frontier in authoritarian governance, and this evolution has implications that reach far beyond the Uyghur community.”
thehansindia.com
“The crime was quietly swept under the rug, and shortly after, Qahar’s residence was barricaded and the entirety of his Uyghur historical collections disappeared.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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