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Uyghur Muslim rights activist Idris Hasan, who fled China with his family to escape oppression, found that Chinese authorities continued pursuing him across Turkey and Morocco, leading to his imprisonment. He had supported Uyghurs in Turkey by translating and doing graphic design and working for a newspaper documenting abuses against his community in China. China accuses him of being a member of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement. At the same time, human rights groups warn he is at high risk of extradition to China, where he could face arbitrary detention and torture.
Once seen as a safe haven for Uyghurs, Turkey has shifted its stance due to economic and political alignment with China, eroding its reputation as a sanctuary. The Chinese government's global surveillance, intimidation, and persecution network targets not only activists but also ordinary Uyghurs, including students and businesspeople. China's crackdown on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, which Western governments and activists label as genocide, has led to mass detentions, torture, and abuses.
Turkey's changing relationship with China, driven by economic interests, has resulted in stricter controls on Uyghur residents, leading to concerns among the Uyghur diaspora. The fear of extradition to China hangs over Turkey's Uyghur population, and many have faced harassment by Chinese authorities, even in Turkey.
China's influence extends beyond its borders, with Morocco also facing pressure to extradite Uyghurs. Hasan's fate lies with Morocco now, and his future remains uncertain. The broader issue highlights the global implications of China's actions against Uyghurs and the challenges Uyghurs face in other countries seeking refuge and safety.
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