The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has expressed serious concerns regarding reports that Uyghur Muslims in East Turkistan have been detained for participating in Ramadan fasting. The organization highlighted that these incidents reflect an ongoing violation of religious freedom for Uyghurs living under Chinese governance. In a press release, WUC cited information from Radio Free Asia (RFA) that detailed police actions taken on February 27, where six Uyghur individuals from various villages in Hotan Prefecture were reportedly detained for allegedly fasting in secret.

Police involved in Lop Township, Lop County, confirmed to RFA that five of the detainees, all over 70 years old, were released after receiving warnings and attending sessions deemed “political education.” However, a younger man aged 30 remains in detention and faces potential criminal charges related to fasting during this holy month. The police officer indicated that security measures intensify during Ramadan, with patrols commencing around 6:00 a.m., two hours prior to sunrise in Hotan. It’s reported that officers inspect homes for any evidence of fasting, scrutinizing windows for signs of light before dawn and entering residences if they suspect individuals are observing the fast.

Increased Surveillance and Forced Labor Reported

Further details shared by the Uyghur News Network indicate that in the Kashgar and Aksu regions, local authorities are pressuring villagers to engage in early morning labor throughout Ramadan. A village official mentioned that residents are required to work for about two hours each day on infrastructure projects, including repairing roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. This strategy is believed to discourage the practice of fasting among the local population.

WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun commented that the reported detentions underscore the extent to which even personal expressions of faith are being closely monitored and penalized. He emphasized that such surveillance and enforced labor not only violate international human rights standards but also contravene Chinese domestic laws.

International Attention on Uyghur Rights

The situation of Uyghurs in China is currently under scrutiny at the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. During this session, Nazila Ghanea raised concerns regarding reports that Chinese authorities have been systematically destroying or relocating Uyghur Muslim cemeteries without informing affected families. This ongoing issue has drawn significant attention from various human rights organizations and international observers, highlighting the broader implications for religious and ethnic freedoms within China.

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