Gheyret Niyaz -
Uyghur journalist and editor sentenced to fifteen years
In October 2009, Uyghur journalist Gheyret Niyaz was arrested and convicted on state security charges for his reporting on the July 2009 riots in Urumqi, the capital city of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in northwest China. The following year, on 23 July 2010, Niyaz was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment on the charge of ‘endangering state security’. Sydney PEN believes that Niyaz’s unfair trial and heavy prison term is an attempt by Chinese authorities to silence critical reporting. Sydney PEN calls for his immediate and unconditional release, in accordance with Article 35 of the Chinese constitution, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which China is a state party.
Uyghur journalist Gheyret Niyaz
It is believed that Niyaz’s arrest and conviction were based on essays he wrote highlighting the mounting ethnic tension in the XUAR prior to the riots, and on an interview that he gave to a Hong Kong news publication. In the interview, Niyaz said that authorities in the XUAR had failed to heed to his warnings about the possibility of a riot taking place, warnings that were repeated up until the day before the breakout. Mr. Niyaz did not participate in the 2009 riots. He is widely known for his moderate political views, and for encouraging and advocating greater understanding between the Chinese Han and Uyghur people.
Niyaz’s wife, Risalet, who attended the trial, said that her husband maintained he was fulfilling his role as both a citizen and journalist by being interviewed for foreign news sources.
Sharon Hom, the Executive Director of non-government advocacy organisation Human Rights in China, stated:
“In the context of the prolonged news blackout and strict information control in the XUAR following the violence in July 2009, Niyaz’s draconian prison sentence raises serious concern about the authorities’ respect for freedom of expression, and capacity and commitment to protect fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Niyaz is not the only victim of this form of injustice against freedom of speech. Ilham Tohti, a Uyghur economist based in Beijing, was also arrested shortly after the Urumqi riots in 2009. He was detained by authorities for his criticism of the Chinese government’s policies towards Uyghurs in the XUAR. Although Tohti was released shortly afterwards, his arrest represents the disturbing actions that Chinese authorities are prepared to take to silence unwelcome political opinion. Like Niyaz, Tohti is known for his commitment to bridging differences between the Han and Uyghur people.
Student supporters of Sydney PEN made this video featuring Niyaz in 2011.
TAKE ACTION
Sydney PEN urges supporters to contact Chinese authorities and call for:
- the immediate and unconditional release of Uyghur journalist Gheyret Niyaz, in accordance with Article 35 of the Chinese constitution, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which China is a state party;
- an end to the ill-treatment and torture of Uyghur writers, journalists and all other political prisoners in China’s gaols;
- an end to the targeting of Uyghur intellectuals including writers, journalists and web editors.
Please send appeals to:
Chairman of the XUAR People's Government
Nur BEKRI Zhuxi
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin
Zhengfu Bangongting
2 Zhongshanlu, Urumqi 830041
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu
People's Republic of China
Fax: +86 991 2817567 or 2803621
Email: master "at" xinjiang.gov.cn
Salutation: Dear Chairman
Secretary of the Central Politics and Law Commission of People’s Republic of China
Zhou Yongkang Shuji
Zhongyang Zhengfa Weiyuanhui
9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie
Beijingshi 100032
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Dear Secretary
Minister of State Security of the People's Republic of China
GEN Huichang Buzhang
Guojia Anquanbu
14 Dongchang’anjie
Beijingshi 100741
People's Republic of China
Salutation: Your Excellency
Please send a copy of your appeal to the Chinese Embassy in Australia, asking them to forward it and welcoming any comments:
His Excellency Mr CHEN YUMING
Embassy of the People's Republic of China
15 Coronation Drive
Yarralumla ACT 2600
Tel: (02) 6273 4780
Fax: (02) 6273 4878
Email: chinaemb_au "at" mfa.gov.cn
MORE INFORMATION
IFEX: "China sentences Uighur journalist to 15 years," 27 July 2010
Human Rights in China: "Heavy Prison Term for Uyghur Advocate of Inter-ethnic Understanding," 2010
World Uyghur Congress: "Gheyret Niyaz," 2011
New York Times: "Intellectuals Call for Release of Uighur Economist," 2009
Last updated May 2012