A prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in prison, according to a U.S.-based foundation that works on human rights cases in China.
Rahile Dawut was convicted on charges of endangering state security in December 2018 in a secret trial, the San Francisco-based Dui Hua Foundation said in a statement Thursday. Dawut appealed but her conviction was upheld, the foundation said.
For years, her exact status was unknown, as Chinese authorities didn’t disclose her whereabouts or the nature of the charges against her. That changed this month when the Dui Hua Foundation saw a Chinese government document disclosing that Dawut was sentenced to life in prison. She is one of over 400 prominent academics, writers, performers and artists detained in Xinjiang, advocacy groups say. Critics say the government has targeted intellectuals as a way to dilute, or even erase, Uyghur culture, language and identity.
Dawut’s daughter, Akeda Pulati, said she was stunned by the news and called on the Chinese authorities to release her mother. “She’s a very simple person — all she wants in her life is just to find enjoyment in her work and her career and do something good for society, for the people around her,” Pulati said.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese government sentences famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation saysA prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in prison, according to a U.S.-based foundation that works on human rights cases in China
Read more »
Chinese government sentences famed Uyghur scholar to life in prison, foundation saysA prominent Uyghur scholar specializing in the study of her people’s folklore and traditions has been sentenced to life in prison, according to a U.S.
Read more »
China sentences Uyghur academic to life in prison in XinjiangRahile Dawut was a member of the establishment and the Communist Party but with her focus on Uyhgur folklore still ran afoul of the government campaign to assimilate the people of far west Xinjiang.
Read more »
China Sentenced Scholar of Uyghur Culture to Life in Prison, Rights Group SaysRahile Dawut is a widely respected researcher of the minority group’s religious and cultural traditions who disappared in 2017.
Read more »
The Philippines accuses China's shadowy maritime militia of destroying coral reefs in South China SeaVibrant reefs filled with colorful fish and seaweed just two years ago have been turned into a wasteland of crushed corals in the South China Sea and the Philippines says it has identified a culprit – China’s shadowy maritime militia.
Read more »
Mystery over why Chinese spy balloon wasn't shot down over Alaska solvedOfficials explained their reasoning for not shooting the balloon down sooner, including threats to civilians in Alaska and dangerous recovery conditions.
Read more »