The Chinese government has been permitting some Uyghurs to travel to or from Xinjiang, with the apparent aim of presenting a public image of normalcy. @hrw.org shows that onerous requirements and official tours are the latest measures in the region. www.hrw.org/news/2025/02... - ThreadSky

yalkun.bsky.social • 36 days ago

The Chinese government has been permitting some Uyghurs to travel to or from Xinjiang, with the apparent aim of presenting a public image of normalcy. @hrw.org shows that onerous requirements and official tours are the latest measures in the region.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/03/china-travel-uyghurs-heavily-restricted

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yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

The modest thaw in China’s travel restrictions has allowed some Uyghurs to briefly visit their loved ones, but authorities instrumentalize those reunions to further oppress Uyghurs, by denying their right to leave the country and punishing them for having foreign ties.

yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

Context: since 2016, the Chinese government has confiscated passports and isolated Xinjing from the outside world. However, with the increasing international pressure, authorities have been trying to whitewash its abuses in the Uyghur region over the last couple of years.

yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

There were foreign diplomats or media visiting the region with official tours. Apparently, some Uyghurs in the diaspora are also participating official tours - with strict background checks and conditions - including propaganda meetings to praise the government for its policies.

yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

Travel permission to leave the country comes with strict rules: not engaging with activists abroad or speaking critically about the government and returning within a specified time. Uyghurs are only allowed to visit certain countries and prohibited from others - such as Turkey.

yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

Interviewees shared their experiences, revealing the abusive practices: taking family members hostage to ensure traveler's return, interrogation during visits to Xinjiang or returns from abroad, asking information about other Uyghurs.

No compliance with rules results in persecution.

yalkun.bsky.social•36 days ago

Contacting or visiting loved ones shouldn’t be a privilege to a few Uyghurs but is a right that the Chinese government is obligated to respect.

China should end its heavy restrictions on travels and transnational repression against Uyghur diaspora.

@hrwchinese.bsky.social @mayawang.bsky.social

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