Uyghur Resource Center
What's happening to the Uyghurs in China?
In China, the Government is suppressing the Uyghur Muslims through detention camps. According to U.S. Defense Department, approximately 3 million Uyghurs have been imprisoned in camps in Xinjiang (also known as East Turkestan), China. The Chinese government still denies these camps exist, but there is image proof of the construction of these camps, surrounded by barbed-wire fences and watchtowers. The government called them "Re-education centers" for Uyghurs.
Background
The Uyghurs are a Turkic, majority Muslim, ethnic group living in China. They have their own language, culture, and religion, distinct from the rest of China. The over 12 million Uyghurs reside in China's largest province Xinjiang (East Turkestan), which is located in the northwest side of China and officially designated as an autonomous region since the Chinese government annexed the territory in 1949. However, despite Xinjiang (East Turkestan)'s status as an autonomous region, the province has recently been subjected to severe restrictions from the Chinese government.
Since 2017, under the guise of "fighting extremism," China has launched a pervasive crackdown on the Uyghur people. The Uyghur Muslims have become one of the most surveilled populations in the entire world, with checkpoints, police, and cameras everywhere scanning everything from license plates to individual faces. The Chinese government also monitors "suspicious" behavior, including peaceful religious practices, electricity usage, and how often people use their front doors.
To learn more, visit Amnesty International's website.