Jailed Chinese Uyghur wins prestigious rights award
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 October 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Jailed Chinese Uyghur wins prestigious rights award, 11 October 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a0cd6.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| 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. |
October 11, 2016
Uyghur activist Ilham Tohti (file photo)
A Chinese academic of Uyghur origin who was jailed for life two years ago for campaigning for the rights of indigenous Uyghurs in China, has been named the winner of a prestigious human rights award.
Ilham Tohti was selected from three finalists for the Martin Ennals Award in Geneva, whose jury is composed of 10 activist groups, including Amnesty International.
Tohti is one of China's most prominent advocates for the rights of the Turkic-speaking Uyghurs, who are Muslims.
The Uyghurs – of whom there are some 15 million in China – have long complained about their treatment under Beijing's rule.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang dismissed the award, calling Tohti's activism "deeds of a separatist character having nothing to do with human rights."
Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress, the main Uyghur exile group, called the award a "huge encouragement."
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
