Idea. Ink. Interview

[Oghuz]

Idea. Ink. Interview

While our frequent episodes of crying foul and demanding democracy are necessary, we are committed to giving a voice to the voiceless. In doing so, the Uyghur Blog will be conducting regular interviews with the men and women of Xinjiang. Most of these individuals have been sought out, and will remain anonymous. It is sad that people must be fearful when raising their voice in opposition, but it gives us every more reason to continue to do what we do. Thank you to all of those who have agreed to raise your voice, and share your story with us.

Below is our first interview with a Uyghur gentleman that currently resides in the United States.

Uyghur Blog: Where in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region were you raised?

Interviewee: Aksu and Urumchi

UB: How long did you live there?

I: 26 years

UB: How long has it been since you were back?

I: 14 years

UB: Do you still have family that lives in Xinjiang

I: Yes, I last spoke with them in June of 2009

UB: While growing up in Xinjiang, what were some of the changes that you experienced?

I: I saw Chinese people pouring into Xinjiang more and more every day. It was as if they had nothing to eat in their own country.

UB: As you understand it, what kind of persecution are the Uyghurs experiencing?

I: They are experiencing imprisonment and torture in their own homeland from the immigrant Chinese.

UB: Is this persecution a result of the Chinese government or the Chinese people? Why?

I: Both, because the Chinese government is formed with Chinese people. Even the civilian Chinese think that the Uyghurs should be driven out of their own country so that they can take over everything. Everyone knows that Xinjiang is very important to the Chinese government because of its location and resources.

UB: In your opinion, do you think that the Chinese government will make positive changes towards the Uyghurs on their own, or will they have to be forced?

I: The Chinese government will not do anything good for the Uyghurs. They will try to bring down the Uyghurs as much as possible. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another July fifth*. The Uyghur people are getting pushed beyond their patience. The Chinese government has to be forced. There is no other way, especially with Xinjiang.

UB: Should the International Community get involved in the situation in Xinjiang? Why?

Yes, it should. The Chinese don’t like the Uyghurs getting attention while they are in the wrong. They hate fact that whatever they do is out there for the world to see. They can’t fix the problem on their own; it is out of their hands. They have gotten away with a lot of illegal criminal activity as a country. They don’t have the capacity to see what is wrong with them.

UB: Are you hopeful about the changes that may result from US President Barack Obama’s visit to China?

I: Yes.

UB: Speaking of leaders, are you familiar with Rebiya Kadeer? What are your feelings about her?

I: She is our leader. I wish we had somebody like her 10 or 15 years ago, so that world would know there are people called Uyghurs that have suffered under Chinese for past 60 years. She was in Chinese prison for 6 years up until 2005, and now her two sons are in Chinese prison just for being her children.

UB: Will you ever move back to your homeland? And if you do, in your opinion, will the Uyghur culture still be intact?

I: I wish to move back to my country. I don’t know if that is possible. Uyghur kids are being forced to learn the Chinese language and that is the Chinese way to wipe out anybody who is not Chinese. It is proven fact.

UB: If you knew the world was listening, what would you say about the Uyghurs?

I: Please help to save Uyghurs before they get wiped out from this earth.

UB: And lastly, what do you miss most about your Uyghur homeland?

I: Everything but Chinese. The mountains, the food, the culture, the singing and dancing… Mostly, my family and friends.

*July fifth is a reference to the protest and ensuing riots that occurred in Urumchi on that date.

Source: uyghurblog.com