WRITTEN QUESTION E-2067/02

by Olivier Dupuis (NI) to the Commission

(12 July 2002)

Subject: Case of Rebiya Kadeer from East Turkestan

Rebiya Kadeer, a businesswoman, is one of the most prominent members of the Uighur people in the occupied region of East Turkestan (Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region). She has made significant contributions to securing women's rights in China and founded the Thousand Mothers Movement to promote employment for Uighur women. The Chinese government itself has recognised her contributions by appointing her to its delegation for the 1995 United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing.

Two years after the Beijing Conference, however, officials confiscated her passport. Police harassment followed, placing further restrictions on her movements. The Chinese authorities were attempting to silence her husband, an outspoken critic of the government living abroad, by intimidating her.

In August 1999, while she had an appointment to discuss Human Rights issues with delegates from the US Congressional Research Service, Chinese authorities arrested her and took her to a local prison notorious for torture. In September 1999, the government charged Rebiya Kadeer with providing secret information to foreigners, although the secrets turned out to be publicly available in local newspapers in her possession. Following a trial held in secret, a Chinese court sentenced her to eight years' imprisonment. Her secretary, arrested shortly after she was taken into custody, received a three-year term of re-education through labour for his association with her. He was reportedly beaten in custody and is now in poor health.

What information can the Commission provide about the situation of Mrs Kadeer and her secretary? What kind of initiatives has the Commission undertaken or will it undertake to obtain from the Chinese authorities the immediate and unconditional release of these prisoners of conscience, the respect of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the People of East Turkestan and the opening of negotiations between the Chinese government and representatives of the Uighur people, including the East Turkestan (Uyghuristan) National Congress (ETNC), a democratic umbrella organisation which seeks peaceful political solution to the problem in view of a political and equitable solution of the issue of occupied East Turkestan?

Furthermore can the Commission assure the European Parliament that no programme financed by the EU in the occupied East Turkestan is used by Beijing to increase or implement the policy of colonisation, repression, destruction and apartheid imposed against the Uighur people by the Chinese authorities since their invasion and occupation of Turkestan in 1949?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(2 August 2002)

The EU has raised the case of Rebiya Kader in the context of the human rights dialogue with China and has been informed about her sentencing and imprisonment. Unfortunately, the Chinese authorities have not given any information concerning her present situation. The Commission will continue to raise this case at every opportunity.

The Commission also emphasises the need for China to respect cultural and linguistic rights, religious freedoms and the protection of minorities throughout China.

The Commission has no co-operation programmes in Xingjiang.