U.S. calls on China to stop targeting Uyghur journalist's family
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 January 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. calls on China to stop targeting Uyghur journalist's family, 9 January 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be145115.html [accessed 4 November 2019] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 09, 2015
The U.S. State Department says it is concerned that three brothers of a Washington-based ethnic Uyghur journalist have been imprisoned because of his work.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki on January 8 urged Chinese authorities to "cease harassment" of the family of Shohret Hoshur, a correspondent for Radio Free Asia (RFA).
Hoshur says Chinese officials have increased pressure on his family in China's western Xinjiang Province in order to get him to stop working as a journalist.
Hoshur – who left China in 1994 and is now a U.S. citizen – said one of his brothers was given a five-year sentence last year for "violating state security laws" and that two other brothers were detained after discussing their brother's case with Hoshur via phone.
Uyghurs are a Muslim minority group in Xinjiang, a region that has been wracked by violent unrest.
Based on reporting by AP and The Washington Post
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
