ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES
This section provides an overview of cases where Uyghurs were captured by Chinese authorities and subsequently disappeared during the events of the July 2009 disturbances and its aftermath.
On 5 July 2009, demonstrations erupted in the streets of Urumqi, East Turkestan, the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The protests initially began peacefully as demonstrators called for a full investigation into an incident in Shaoguan, Southern China several days earlier in which seventeen Uyghurs had been killed, although official government figures were markedly lower. The peaceful protests then escalated into violent attacks between Uyghurs and Han Chinese later that day, in which many Uyghurs and Han Chinese needlessly lost their lives or were left injured as a result of the ensuing violence, notwithstanding the many buildings that were destroyed.
The crisis did not end with the violence as it continued for several days after the initial unrest whereby many Uyghurs, most of whom were male, disappeared as wide-scale police sweeps stepped up. Just a few days after the eruption of violence, some Uyghur women told a Daily Telegraph reporter that police officers entered Uyghur neighbourhoods during the night of 6 July in order to pull men and boys out of their beds, subsequently rounding up approximately 100 suspects. On 21 October 2009, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 43 cases of Uyghur men who disappeared after being taken away by Chinese security forces in large-scale overnight sweeps of Uyghur neighbourhoods on 6 and 7 July 8.Jump to:
Alim Abdurehim
(阿里木.阿不都热依木)
Age at disappearance: 35
Profession: An employee of the Astane Company
Place of Birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China (XUAR)
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, XUAR
Details of Disappearance: According to his wife, Alim Abdurehim is innocent of any crime and did not attend the riots on 5 July 2009. In fact, he was arrested for engaging in a minor argument with a police officer who was blocking the streets at the time. Although Alim Abdurehim’s wife has been diligently looking for him since his disappearance, she has yet to find any information on his whereabouts.
Memetable Abdurehim
(麦麦提阿布拉.阿不都热依木)
Age at disappearance: 17
Place of Birth: Qaghliq, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unemployed
Date of capture: Unkown
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: He was taken away on July 6th from his rental apartment in SaiMaChang district in Urumqi. He was arrested along with two of his roommates; one of the three arrested men was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Another was released but Memetabla is nowhere to be found.
Abdurahim A.
Age at disappearance: 18
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 11 August 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Abdurahim was captured by a group of security personnel on 11 August 2009. His relatives were unable to obtain any information about his fate or whereabouts.
Abdurakhman A.
Age at disappearance: 31
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Saimachang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, at around 19:00 on 6 July 2009, 150 uniformed policemen and military officers sealed off Abdurakhman’s neighbourhood. They went house by house and ordered all inhabitants outside. They selected Abdurakhman, Makmud M. and 16 other men and took them away in their trucks. Police have released no information about Abdurakhman’s whereabouts or wellbeing.
Anvar-Ahun A.
Age at disappearance: 35
Place of birth: Saimachang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Vendor
Date of capture: 3 August 2009
Place of capture: Saimachang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, on the afternoon of 3 August 2009, Anvar-Ahun was arrested by soldiers at the entrance to his neighbourhood, as he was returning home. His family have received no information about his welfare or whereabouts since then.
Memet Turghun Abdulla
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Yengisar county, Kashgar district, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: May 2010
Place of capture: Yengisar county, Kashgar district, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: He was originally detained in August 2009 for writing an online article entitled “Everyone Needs Equality,” in the aftermath of large-scale demonstrations in Urumqi. He was later put under house arrest before being arrested again in May 2010. Police have denied any knowledge of his disappearance.
Abdukerim Abla
(阿布都克力木. 阿布拉)
Age at disappearance: 22
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Retail Associate
Date of capture: 13 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 13 August 2009, police officers raided the Dong Koruk International Bazaar in Urumqi City, where he worked, in the morning around 10:00. Four special enforcement police dressed in black walked into the store in which Abdukerim was working and left shortly after capturing a photo of him. A few hours later, the same police officers walked into the store again and arrested him.
Abduleziz Ablet
(阿不都艾则孜.阿不来提)
Age at disappearance: 17
Place of Birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Assistant chef
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to Abduleziz’s parents, he left for work in the morning on 5 July 2009 and has not since returned home. On the day of his disappearance, his parents went to look for him at the restaurant and learned that Abduleziz had disappeared from the restaurant after 15:00 that day. Abduleziz’s parents then went to the local police station with this information, but were told that Abduleziz was not on the list of arrested suspects. Abduleziz’s family has heard nothing of his situation; they do not know whether or not he participated in the riots, nor do they know where he was taken and whether or not he is alive.
Memet Barat
(麦麦提.巴拉提)
Age at disappearance: 25
Place of Birth: Qarakash, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of case: Memet Barat was arrested from his neighbourhood in Tashbulaq province, Urumqi the day after the 5 July incident along with fourteen of his neighbours. Although all fourteen of his neighbours were released within one to eight months after the incident, there is yet to be any news about Memet Barat.
Alimjan Bekri
(阿力木江. 拜克力)
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Real Estate Agent
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Alimjan participated in the protest on 5 July 2009 to express his dissatisfaction with the ways the Shaoguan situation was handled. Alimjan Bekri was last seen on 5 July 2012 around 08:00 by a building labelled City Music Factory in Urumqi.
Tahirjan Ebey
(塔依尔江. 艾拜)
Age at disappearance: 36
Place of birth: Unknown, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Street Vendor (Food Cart)
Date of capture: 07 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On the morning of 07 July 2009, Tahirjan Ebey left to work pushing his food cart. He never returned home and his family is certain that he was forcibly disappeared by the Chinese authorities.
Imammemet Eli
(伊马木麦麦提.艾力)
Age at disappearance: 22
Place of Birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Recent graduate from South China University of Technology, anticipating to start a new career at the time of capture.
Date of capture: 14 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to his mother, Imammemet Eli had initially joined the 5 July protest in Urumqi, but had stopped participating when the situation became violent. Imammemet Eli was arrested along with four of his friends while playing billiards just over a week after the riots. His friends were gradually released over the next six months, but there is yet to be any news about Imammemet.
Nebi Eli
(乃比. 艾力)
Age at disappearance: 16
Place of birth: Qaraqash Province, Hotan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Student
Date of capture: 15 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Nebi was last seen by his father, Elijan Rozi, demonstrating in the streets of Urumqi on 15 August 2009 with several other detainees. They were surrounded by about thirty armed police personnel and were later forcefully taken away in a police vehicle.
Eysajan Emet
(艾沙江. 艾买提)
Age at disappearance: 25
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Chef/Musician
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 5 July 2009, Eysajan Emet and his wife were arrested on the streets of Urumqi where they were caught in the middle of the unrest. His wife Toxtigul was freed later that day due to her pregnancy, but Eysajan was kept at the detention centre and since then there has been no news about his case.
Abdugheni Eziz
(阿不都艾尼. 艾则孜)
Age at disappearance: 39
Place of birth: Qaraqash province Hotan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Entrepreneur
Date of capture: 31 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 31 July 2009, seven Chinese police officers came to his home in Urumqi and arrested Abdugheni Eziz, without disclosing any viable reasons. These police officers also reportedly confiscated his car and robbed him of 2600 Yuan cash that was on his person. A friend of Abdugheni Eziz, Mewlan Zeridin, was also arrested at the time, subsequently being released 5 months later.
Fazlidden F.
Age at time of disappearance: 18
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 28 July 2009
Place of capture: Erdiaogiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, after conducting initial sweeps of his neighbourhood on the 6th and 7th of July 2009 where 15 young men were taken away, 3 police officers in plain clothes returned on 28 July 2009 and took Fazliddin away for questioning. He has not been seen or heard from again.
Aytqazi Hasanbek
(阿伊提卡孜.艾山别克)
Age at disappearance: 26
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Recent graduate from Forestry Designing Institute, still in search of a job
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Tianshan region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of disappearance: Though he was not involved in any protests or riots, reports suggest that he was arrested due to his physical appearance and the fact that he resembled many of the protestors. At approximately 19:00 that day, Aytqazi called home to his mother and told her that he was being held at the local Bahulyang Police Department and that he hoped that he would be let go once the police realised that he was innocent. He has not been seen or heard from since.
TohtiEli Hashim
(图合提. 阿西木)
Age at disappearance: 21
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Restaurant Associate
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 6 July 2009, TohtiEli’s family in Kashgar received a phone call from the owner of the restaurant where TohtiEli was working at the time. The restaurant owner, Sulayman, indicated that TohtiEli had been shot on his way home from the restaurant after work. Sulayman has since claimed he does not know what happened to TohtiEli and denied that the conversation ever with his family ever took place. There has been no sign of TohtiEli since.
Alimjan Helaji
(阿里木江. 海阿洁)
Age at disappearance: 17
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Street fruit vendor
Date of capture: 10 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: N/A
Nurul Islam
(努尔勒. 伊斯拉姆)
Age at disappearance: 16
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Student
Date of capture: 27 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to Nurul Islam’s mother, Pasha Dawut, he was arrested shortly after the 5 July incident in 2009. Police officials told Pasha Dawut that her son was being detained for political education purposes and that he would be released upon the completion of the programme. In October 2012, Pasha Dawut was informed by the police that Nurul Islam had carried out a hunger strike in prison and that he was being treated at a hospital. Upon her arrival at the hospital, Pasha Dawut saw the poor condition her son was in and realised that her son was being tortured in prison. Pasha Dawut was forced to leave the hospital soon after, despite her request to spend the night with her son. The next day, she was informed of Nurul Islam’s death.
Jalal-Ahun J.
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 August 2009
Place of capture: Saimachang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Jalal-Ahun was detained by military and police officers, along with his brother Jamshid J. and two other men near the local market in the Saimachang area, for participating in the riots. Local police told Jalal-Ahun’s family he was fine and in Kashgar, but he has not been seen or heard from since his disappearance.
Jamshid J.
Age at disappearance: 25
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Jamshid was detained by military and police officers, along with his brother Jalal-Ahun J. and two other men near the local market in the Saimachang area, for participating in the riots. Local police told Jalal-Ahun’s family he was fine and in Kashgar, but he has not been seen or heard from since his disappearance.
Ehmetjan Jume
(艾合麦提江. 居麦)
Age at disappearance: 26
Place of birth: Qaraqash, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Street vendor (dried fruits)
Date of capture: 27 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Ehmetjan Jume was arrested on the night of 27 August 2009 from the Saybagh Regional Evening Bazaar, where he was selling dried fruits.
Amantay Jumetay
(阿曼塔依. 居买台)
Age at disappearance: 39
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Bus driver at the Transportation Department of Urumqi
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On the evening of 5 July 2009, Amantay had come to visit his parents to ensure their safety. He then left to visit his sister, but he never made it to his sister’s house and he has been missing since.
Karim-Ahun K.
Age at disappearance: 16
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Karim-Ahun was detained, along with another man, by police and military officers after a sweep of his neighbourhood.
Muhammadin M.
Age at disappearance: 25
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Doctor
Date of capture: 11 August 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Muhammadin was arrested at his medical clinic by two men in civilian clothes and two men in military uniforms and driven away in their car. With no relatives in Urumqi, it was not possible to verify if he was still missing, but his neighbours told HRW that he had not returned.
Makmud M.
Age at disappearance: 25
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Saimchang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, at around 19:00 on 6 July 2009, 150 uniformed policemen and military officers sealed off Makmud’s neighbourhood. They went house by house and ordered all inhabitants outside. They selected Makmud, Abdurakhman A. and 16 other men and took them away in their trucks.
Zakir Memet
(扎克尔.麦麦提)
Age at disappearance: 34
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 15 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: About 2 weeks after the unrest, Zakir Memet was arrested from his neighborhood in Urumqi (Bulak Beshi 2nd St). Zakir Memet was arrested tog
Muxter Mexet
(穆合塔尔. 麦麦提)
Age at disappearance: 35
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 15 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Approximately 2 weeks after the 5 July Urumqi unrest, Muxter Mexet was arrested from his neighbourhood in Urumqi (Bulak Beshi 2nd St). Muxter Mexet was arrested together with Zakir Memet. No further information has been disclosed.
Imin Momin
(伊明. 木明)
Age at disappearance: 28
Place of birth: Unknown, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Construction Worker
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Imin Momin disappeared on the night of 5 July 2009 while he was walking home after work with 3 of his peers. While walking, they were warned by a bystander about the violence and random arrests happening on the streets ahead. Subsequently, the four peers split up to go their separate ways since walking in a group would seem suspicious in the eyes of the police. Immediately after their separation, the four were arrested. One of the four men arrested was sentenced to 17 years in prison, while the other two were released after a few months; but there has been no information about Imin Momin’s whereabouts.
Nuriddin N.
Age at disappearance: 20
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 7 July 2009
Place of capture: Saimachang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Nuriddin was detained by Chinese security forces during a large sweep of his neighbourhood. At 20:00 on the evening of 7 July 2009, 8-10 police and military officers broke into Nuriddin’s father’s house and took Nuriddin away in their truck.
Turghun Obulqasim
(吐尔洪. 乌不力哈斯木)
Age at disappearance: 33
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Restaurant manager/cook at the Medina Restaurant
Date of capture: 9 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: In an interview with Radio Free Asia – Uyghur service, Salfurat, a Pakistani manager of the Urumqi based Huaqiao Hotel (Muhajirlar Hotel) revealed that on 9 July 2009 Turghun Obulqasim and four other employees of the Medina restaurant were taken away by a group of Chinese police officers without any clarification of the charges. Four of the five victims taken from the Medina restaurant were released within a few months following the arrest, but Turghun Obulqasim’s whereabouts remain unclear.
Abliz Qadir
(阿布力孜. 卡德尔)
Age at disappearance: 36
Place of birth: Yarkent, Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Baker
Date of capture: 1 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 1 August 2009, Abliz Qadir was arrested along with his two mentees from a local nan-bakery where they worked, located in the Seybagh neighborhood of Urumqi. About 7 months later, both of his mentees were released from prison but nothing has been heard of Abliz Qadir.
Abdurehim Qadir
(阿布德热伊木. 卡德尔)
Age at disappearance: 45
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Blacksmith
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 5 July 2009, Abdurehim Qadir decided to close his shop and stay home due to the unrest on the streets. In the morning of 6 July 2009, policemen forced their way into his home and arrested him. Abdurehim’s wife has not heard from him since and her attempts to search for him have been unsuccessful.
Shakir Sh.
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, 20 armed police and military officers conducted a sweep of the neighbourhood in Erdaoqiao where Shakir Sh. lived. The dragged several men out of their homes and selected Shakir Sh. And his neighbour Ziyad-Ahun Z. They were taken away in the soldier’s vehicles and have not been heard from since.
Sharafutdin Sh.
Age at disappearance: 14
Place of birth: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 7 August 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, on 7 August 2009, Sharafutdin was walking from his home to his father’s shop, but failed to show up. Witnesses attested that he had somehow been wounded in his leg and was taken to the hospital by security forces, along with 3 other boys. After receiving basic treatment, Sharafutdin and the others were loaded into a truck by soldiers and have not been heard from since.
Abdurehim Sidiq
(阿不都热依木. 萨迪克)
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Car mechanic
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to Abdurehim’s wife Ayse, Abdurehim Sidiq left home to go to Bulaqbeshi Bazar Market on July 5, 2009 to purchase shoes, but he never returned home. Whether he took part in the riots and protests on the streets is unclear.
Abaxun Sopur
(阿巴洪. 苏扑尔)
Age at disappearance: 33
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Street fruit vendor
Date of capture: 7 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: On 7 July 2009, Abaxun was taken to the Shenming Police station on the evening of 7 July, where he was interrogated by a Kazakh police officer named Aytan. Shortly after, Abaxun and some thirty individuals were sent away to various jails and detention centres in Urumqi. He has not been seen or heard from since.
Ablajan Sulayman
(阿布拉江. 苏莱曼)
Age at disappearance: 19
Place of birth: Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, Town of Baren, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Retail Associate
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Radio Free Asia’s investigations revealed that Ablajan Sulayman was arrested from his workplace located in the Seymachange neighborhood of Urumqi city on 6 July 2009. About a month after the arrest, Ablajan’s family was notified that Ablajan was found innocent and that he was being held at the Michuen Detention Center merely for political education purposes. This was the last time Ablajan Sulayman’s family heard about him.
Bekri Toxti
(拜科日. 托合提)
Age at disappearance: 34
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unkown
Date of capture: Unknown
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: N/A
Tursunjan Tohti
(吐尔逊江. 托合提)
Age at disappearance: 26
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Hairdresser, Barber Shop owner
Date of capture: 1 August 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Tursunjan was arrested by a team of police officers led by an office named Nurdun. According to these witnesses, a police car came and parked in front of a store across the street from the barbershop, and a few of the police officers crossed the street and walked into the barbershop. They demanded for 5 of the barbershop employees to come outside and forced them to kneel on the ground. Subsequently, one of the police officers ordered for Tursunjan Tohti to be arrested.
Enver Turdi
(艾尼瓦尔. 吐尔地)
Age at disappearance: 26
Place of birth: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Farmer, Construction Worker
Date of capture: 07 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Enver Turdi was in Urumqi for work when he was arrested on 7 July 2009, the day after his brother was arrested. His brother, Imin Turdi, was released 4 months late and police told the Turdi family that Enver was still in Urumqi and that he was to be released in about 8 to 9 months. Unfortunately, Enver was never released after his arrest and his whereabouts are still unknown till this day.
Yusup Turghun
(玉素甫. 吐尔逊)
Age at disappearance: 20
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Student
Date of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Place of capture: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: N/A
Ekber Tursun
(艾克拜尔.吐尔逊)
Age at disappearance: 26
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Entrepreneur
Date of capture: 20 October 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: About 3 months after the 5 July incident, Ekber Tursun was reportedly arrested by 2 undercover police officers from the Kashgar Police Department dressed in civilian clothes as he was working at his store. They claimed to have a few questions for Ekber and asked him to come with them. These undercover police officers also told Ekber’s employees that they would release him after asking him some questions, and left their phone numbers for reassurance. Ekber did not return to his store or his home after that.
Jumejan Tursun
(居麦江. 吐尔逊)
Age at disappearance: 27
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Jumejan Tursun’s health was in very poor condition as the result of severe tuberculosis at the time of the incident. Jumejan was on his way from the hospital when he was arrested. After his arrest, Jumejan was brought back to his home for interrogation, and then taken away by the police officials. Jumejan Tursun did not participate in the unrest or protests.
Turdimemet Tursunniyaz
(吐尔地麦麦提. 玉素甫尼亚孜)
Age at disappearance: 20
Place of birth: Qarakash Province, Hotan, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Butcher
Date of capture: 5 July 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: Turdimemet’s parents conclude that on 5 July 2009, Turdimemet left for work in the morning and never returned.
Umar-Ahun U.
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Carpenter
Date of capture: 27 July 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, Umar-Ahun was detained by police and military officers on 27 July 2009. No information is available regarding his welfare or whereabouts after that date.
Memtimin Yasin
(麦麦提依明. 牙生)
Age at time of disappearance: 33
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: Unknown
Place of capture: Unknown
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: N/A
Ziyad-Ahun Z.
Age at disappearance: 24
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Market vendor
Date of capture: 6 July 2009
Place of capture: Erdaoqiao, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Details of Disappearance: According to interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch, 20 armed police and military officers conducted a sweep of the neighbourhood in Erdaoqiao where Ziyad-Ahun lived. The dragged several men out of their homes and selected Ziyad-Ahun and his neighbour Shakir Sh. They were taken away in the soliders vehicles and have not been heard from since.
Other Cases of Enforced Disappearance
Akemanjiang
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Restaurant Manager
Date of capture: September 2008
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: He was reportedly arrested for not following government policy requiring restaurants to stay open during the month of Ramadan. It was reported that he was beaten in detention, but no further details are available.
Tursunjan Hesen
Age at time of disappearance: 67
Place of birth: Yining, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 2 July 2009
Place of capture: Yining, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: He was reportedly arrested and accused of revealing state secrets and endangering state security. He had given interviews to the international press regarding a case involving his daughter, where she was being forced by Chinese authorities to have an abortion against her wishes.
Halmurat Imin
Age at time of disappearance: 23
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 22 February 2011
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Halmurat was detained on charges of “illegal collection of reactionary propaganda DVDs” and “endangerment of state security”. He was reportedly detained by public security officials in connection to DVDs allegedly in his possession.
Abdullah Jamal
Age at time of disappearance: 42
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Middle school teacher
Date of capture: April 2015
Place of capture: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: He was initially detained on 12 March 2005 and formally arrested in April 2005 after publishing books that authorities claimed “incited separatism”. Amnesty International reported that he was arrested for writing a manuscript entitled, “Disaster in the Oil Well” that authorities claimed incited separatism. According to these sources, his detention took place after he submitted his manuscript for publication.
Abdukerim Mettersun
Age at time of disappearance: 28
Place of birth: Lop, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 2 March 1997
Place of capture: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: He was reportedly detained by police in August 1995 and taken to the detention centre of the Lop county Public Security Bureau on suspicion of handing out ”nationalist propaganda” to Uyghur students. He is known to have been detained there for more than three years without being questioned or charged and was last confirmed to be held without charge at the end of 1998. Since being detained he has requested a defence lawyer, but his request has not been met. Further details about his case, including information on any subsequent charges or release, are not known.
Perhatjan
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Restaurant Manager
Date of capture: September 2008
Place of capture: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Aut onomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Perhatjan was reportedly arrested by the Chinese authorities after calling on other restaurant owners to challenge the government policy that restaurants were required to stay open during Ramadan.
Memet Réhen & Memet Sadiq
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Religious leader
Date of capture: March 2011
Place of capture: Shihezi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Memet Rehen was detained along with Memet Sadiq on suspsicion of distributing “illegal religious materials”. They were reportedly giving electronic Qurans made in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to acquaintances as gifts. There have been no reports of Memet’s whereabouts or status.
Yusufjan & Memetjan
Age at time of disappearance: 27 (Yusufjan) & 24 (Memetjan)
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Students at Xinjiang University
Date of capture: 10 May 2009
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Yusufjan and Memetjan were detained by public security officers, along with 5 other students, who were all members of a religious Muslim group that met on campus. While the 5 other students were released after 15 days of detention, Yusufjan and Memetjan remained in detention and there has been no word from them since.
Patigul & Mahmut Sabir
Age at time of disappearance: 59 (Mahmut)
Place of birth: Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 25 December 2009
Place of capture: Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Patigual and Mahmut Sabir were reportedly detained by public security officers, along with 5 other people, on charges relating to trying to organize a demonstration. The group consisted of family members held in detention in connection to demonstrations and riots in Urumqi in July 2009, and the group planned to demonstrate before a court to express their discontent with the handling of cases related to the July 2009 events.
Miradil Yasin & Mutellip Téyip
Age at time of disappearance: 20 (Miradil) & 19 (Mutellip)
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Students at Xinjiang University
Date of capture: 20 December 2008
Place of capture: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Miradil and Mutellip were both detained on charges relating to the distribution of leaflets containing “reactionary” and “malicious” content. They were reportedly arrest by Urumqi authorities for distributing leaflets at Xinjiang University calling on students to protest.
Musha Yushan
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 2 March 1997
Place of capture: Aksu, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: uthorities are believed to have charged Yushan with “organizing, leading, or actively participating in a counterrevolutionary group,” a crime under Article 98 of China’s 1979 Criminal Law. A court in Aksu prefecture sentenced Yushan on an unknown date to an unknown prison term.
Uyghur Refugees Disappeared After Deportation to China
Abduxur Ablimit
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: August 2011
Place of capture: Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Ablimit was initially scheduled to be returned to China with Manzokra Mamad and 4 other Uyghurs, but was not taken for unspecified reasons. There has been no word from him since he was returned to China.
Ahmet Memet & Turgan Abbas
Age at time of disappearance: 21 (Memet) & 27 (Abbas)
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Religious students
Date of capture: December 2001
Place of capture: Kazakstan
Country of deportation: Kazakstan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Fled from East Turkestan in August 1999, after their release from Yerken detention center, Kashgar prefecture, where they had reportedly been detained and interrogated for one month on suspicion of engaging in “illegal religious” and “separatist” activities. Charged in Kazakhstan and sentenced in April 2000 to eighteen months in prison for “illegally crossing the border.” They were deported to China where they face unknown charges.
Ismail Abdusemed Haji (Ilham), Abdulhakim
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Unknown
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 2 February 2002
Place of capture: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Reportedly arrested in Rawalpindi, and unconfirmed reports suggested that they were handed over to China without legal process. Other reports have also indicated that Chinese officials in plain clothes accompanied Pakistani police at the time of their arrest. There is no further information.
Shaheer Ali (Shirali) & Abdu Allah Sattar (Abdullah Sattar)
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 10 Januray 2002
Place of capture: Nepal
Country of deportation: Nepal
Current Status: Deceased (Shaheer Ali) & Unknown (Abdu Allah Sattar)
Details of Disappearance: Shaheer Ali was a young Uighur nationalist from Hotan who had been imprisoned and tortured in China in 1994 in connection with his political activities. He fled to Nepal at the same time as Abdu Allah Sattar. They were detained by Nepalese immigration authorities and later forcibly returned to China. Sources received no further information on Shaheer Ali until October 2003, when it was reported in official Chinese media that he had been executed. The fate of Abdu Allah Sattar is unknown.
Israel Ahmet & 11 others
Age at time of disappearance: 25
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: Summer 2014
Place of capture: Afghanistan
Country of deportation: Afghanistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Isreal Ahmet immigrated to Afghanistan from East Turkestan and lived and worked as a businessman in Kabul for more than a decade. He was detained in Kabul allegedly for lacking legal documentation and carrying counterfeit money. Ahmet was also reportedly accused of being a spy and was held in a jail cell with more than two dozen other Uyghurs including women and children. After a short stay in detention, he was then escorted to the Kabul International Airport, where Chinese officials forced him onto a plane back to China. Eleven other Uyghur men sharing the cell were sent back to China, according to the same NDS official, who also stated that six women and 12 children in another cell had refused to go.
Ablimit Dawatoglu (Abdulhamit Davutoglu), Kamiljan Omeroglu (Kemal Ömeroglu) & Ehmet Rashidi (Ahmet Resit)
Age at time of disappearance: 37, 47 and 48 respectively
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Businessmen
Date of capture: January 2011
Place of capture: Tajikistan
Country of deportation: Tajikistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Three Uyghur businessmen who travelled to Tajikistan frequently were detained by Tajik authorities on unknown charges. On 8 January 2011, Ablimit Dawatoglu was reportedly picked up by Tajik security forces in Dushanbe and on the following day, Kamiljan Omeroglu and Ehmet Rashidi were then held when they went to the police department to inquire about Dawatoglu. All three had left East Turkestan within the last 10 years prior and two of them had received Turkish citizenship over the previous three years while the third received it four months prior.
Faruh Dilshat
Age at time of disappearance: 23
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: 30 November 2011
Place of capture: Stockholm, Sweden
Country of deportation: Sweden
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Reportedly participated in demonstrations held by the Swedish Uyghur community in front of the Chinese embassy in Stockholm. Deported from Sweden in November 2011 after his request for political asylum was refused.
Rehmetjan Ehmet
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Businessman
Date of capture: May 2007
Place of capture: Uzbekistan
Country of deportation: Uzbekistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Rehmetjan Ehmet was successful businessman, temporarily living in Uzbekistan, conducting business., when he was reportedly arrested and returned to China and unknown charges.
Abdukakhar Idris
Age at time of disappearance: 22
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Tailor and bookkeeper
Date of capture: April-May 2003
Place of capture: Almaty, Kazakstan
Country of deportation: Kazakstan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Idris disappeared in Almaty, Kazakhstan while seeking asylum with the UNHCR in April or May 2003 and is believed to have been forcibly returned to China. Idris was detained at the Kazakh border town of Panfilov on 19 April 2001 and reportedly sentenced to one year in prison by Panfilov District Court on 19 September 2001 for “illegally crossing the border.” He was released on 7 March 2002, after which he approached the UNHCR for asylum. He then lived in hiding in Almaty, until he went missing approximately one year later after being taken from his home by Kazakh police.
Ismayil Kadir (Ilham Kadir)
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Unknown
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: March 2002
Place of capture: Kashmir or Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Presumed Dead
Details of Disappearance: The Associated Press reported a statement by Chinese officials saying that Pakistani authorities had arrested Ismayil Kadir, who was alleged to be the third ranking member of the ETIM, but his membership is disputed. Since his forcible return to China, no further information has become available about Ismail Kadir’s place of detention or legal status.
Manzokra Mamad, Menzire Memet, 2 children and one other adult
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: 8 August 2011
Place of capture: Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: The group of five was brought to the Benazir Bhutto International Airport on 8 August 2011, and boarded flight CZ6008 operated by China’s Southern Airline and returned to Urumqi. The five were reportedly brought handcuffed and blindfolded onto a Southern Airline flight, a Chinese carrier, and taken through a VIP gate to the plane. They were allegedly wanted for political activities abroad and have not been heard from since.
Omer Muhter
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: January 2011
Place of capture: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Muhter went missing from Rawalpindi in Pakistan in January 2011 and is feared to have been deported.
Nur Muhemmed
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: 6 August 2011
Place of capture: Bangkok, Thailand
Country of deportation: Thailand
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Initially reported that Muhemmed fled Urumqi after Chinese authorities accused him of involvement in deadly ethnic unrest in Urumqi in 2009. These reports suggested that he was arrested by Thai authorities for illegally entering the country after fleeing China through Burma.
Adile Omer
Age at time of disappearance: 25
Place of birth: Urumqi, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: 2 Januray 2012
Place of capture: Stockholm, Sweden
Country of deportation: Sweden
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: She was forcibly deported on 2 January 2012, after being held in an immigration detention center in Stockholm since December 23 and after her appeal to an asylum claim was denied. She reportedly participated in demonstrations held by the Swedish Uyghur community in front of the Chinese embassy in Stockholm.
Kurbanjan Sirajidin Ahmet Sadiq,& 10 others
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: 18 August 2011
Place of capture: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Country of deportation: Malaysia
Current Status: Many likely in detention, but not certain
Details of Disappearance: Ahmet Sadiq and ten others were among 16 Uyghurs who were detained by Malaysian police in separate raids in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru city on 6 August 2011. Of the group of 16, two were released soon after arrest and three were released into the agency’s custody as “persons of concern.” On August 26, the group of 11 were deported to China. Prior to the deportation, UNHCR officials reported that they had tried to meet with the group, but were denied access by the Malaysian government. According to relatives, a number of those returned to China were sentenced on separatism charges.
Muhtar Tiliwaldi
Age at time of disappearance: 42
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 13 July 2006
Place of capture: Germany
Country of deportation: Germany
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Tiliwaldi fled East Turkestan in 1998 and arrived in Germany seeking political asylum. From 2001 to 2006 he lived with exceptional leave to remain in Mainz. On 16 June 2006 he was arrested by German police and held in a police holding centre for deportees. On July 13, he was deported by German immigration authorities having failed to secure refugee status.
Abdulwahab Tohti
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: N/A
Profession: N/A
Date of capture: July-August 2003
Place of capture: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: On 16 July 2003, Abdulwahab went missing in Rawalpindi along with Muhammed Tohti Metrozi. Both were reportedly engaging in “pro-independence activities” in the XUAR before fleeing to Pakistan. RFA recently reported that Metrozi’s prison sentence had been commuted in 2016 by Chinese authorities.
Elham Tohtam, Ablitip Abdul Kadir, Enver Tohti (Enver Dawut)
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Ghulja, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 22 April 2002
Place of capture: Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Country of deportation: Pakistan
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: All three went missing in Rawalpindi, northern Pakistan on or around 22 April 2002 and all had reportedly applied to UNHCR for asylum and were awaiting the results of their applications. Elham Tohtam was picked up by the police at around 6.30am and, according to eye-witnesses, blind-folded and led away to an unknown destination. Unofficial sources suggest that the three were detained upon their return to China, although the charges against them and other details about their imprisonment remain unknown.
Jelil Turdi (Zhalil Turdi)
Age at time of disappearance: N/A
Place of birth: Artush, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Trader
Date of capture: End of April 2000
Place of capture: Kyrgyzstan
Country of deportation: Kyrgyzstan
Current Status: Unknown (likely in detention)
Details of Disappearance: First detained by Kyrgyz police in early March 2000, reportedly for having an illegal residence permit, then released a few days later. He was then re-arrested a few weeks later. Chinese embassy in Kyrgyzstan told authorities his Chinese documents were false and was returned to China in late April. He was charged on alleged “separatist” activities for alleged involvement in a nationalist opposition group. He has not been seen since.
Rizwangul Tursun
Age at time of disappearance: 18
Place of birth: Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Profession: Unknown
Date of capture: 18 April 2014
Place of capture: Vietnam’s Bac Phong Sinh border crossing
Country of deportation: Vietnam
Current Status: Unknown
Details of Disappearance: Rizwangul Tursun, now 21, was part of a group of 16 Chinese citizens, including four women and two children, sent back on April 18, 2014, following their arrest at Vietnam’s Bac Phong Sinh border crossing for trying to enter the country illegally. She had been trying to join her father in exile in Turkey when she was captured. Her family has received no information about her whereabouts since her deportation.
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