Unit 3: Lesson 1

Uighur: Domestic Terrorist or Scapegoat?
China announced it had uncovered in January (but only recently acknowledge) a terrorist plot targeting the Beijing Olympics. This is one of several plots exposed to date. This particular plot was to inflict suicide bombings at the 2008 Olympics. This follows the Chinese government’s previous claim that a 19-year old girl targeted a China Southern airplane with a gasoline explosive.

The minority group of Muslims blamed in both cases was the Uighurs. They reside primarily in northwestern China in an area of Xinjiang. They make up over half the population of this area. Supposedly the terrorist group of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement is housed in this area.

The explosives previously used by this group for bus bombing in the mid 90’s are thought to come from gangs who use them for illegal mining operations. This is at the same time when Uighurs were demonstrating against nuclear testing in their area. Considering the extremes here, somehow it is hard to believe we are talking about the same group.

These facts also come into question because the Chinese government has a history of “exaggerated claims of terrorist plots as an excuse to crack down on its restive minority population” per human rights activists. Others have called for more concrete evidence due to the national implications.

With the government’s history of persecuting minorities and justifying it by labeling them terrorist, it makes you wonder why the plot was uncovered in January, but only reported now? One can only assume the 45 people the government detained have been ‘dealt with’ by governmental standards. The 19 year old girl involved was reportedly tortured into confession.

Uighur leaders have accused the government of arresting some Uighurs in attempts to prevent any uprising from their minority in the wake of the demonstrations in Tibet. This appears to be too little too late. Newsweek and the New York Times both report demonstration and detentions are also happening in Xinjiang at approximately the same time. Curfews and religious restrictions have also been implemented.

This area became more volatile with an influx of Han Chinese at the blessing of the Chinese government. The Hans have taking over control of the economy and are attempting to impose their cultural beliefs on the Uighurs.

The Uighurs, like Tibetans, wish to break away from grasp of China in order to freely express their religious beliefs. This appears to be the fact that has sealed their fate of persecution. As we have seen one size MUST fit all in China per the government. The Han Majority rules. Ethnic and religious minorities don’t fit into the formula of China.

Works Cited:
Gettys Image
"Tackling China"
"State of Control"
"China says it has uncovered Olympic terror plot"
"China Confirms Protests by Uighur Muslims"