ASA 17/038/2006
Further Information on UA 156/06 (ASA 17/032/2006, 2 June 2006)
Fear of torture and ill-treatment/Detention without charge/Medical concern
CHINA Ablikim Abdiriyim (m) aged 33,
Alim Abdiriyim (m) aged 31,
Rushangul Abdiriyim (f) aged 38,
Kaysar (m), aged about 38,
Rayila (f), aged 24,
Razia (f), aged 15,
Sardar Kaysar (m), aged 9,
Epar Alim (f), aged 4,
Turghun (m), aged 8
New names : Kahar Abdiriyim (m) aged 42
10 July 2006
Mamat Kadeer (m)
Alim, Ablikim and Kahar Abdiriyim, sons of ethnic Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, are facing criminal charges brought by the Chinese authorities.
Alim Abdiriyim reportedly confessed under torture on 1July to the alleged crimes of « tax fraud » and « splittism », or advocating independence for the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). According to the US-based non-governmental organization Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), Alim Abdiriyim was transferred to the Tianshan District detention centre in Urumchi, the capital of the XUAR, following his « confession ». He may need urgent medical attention for injuries sustained during torture.
Ablikim Abdiriyim is reportedly still in hospital after being beaten by police officers in early June, soon after he was first detained. His medical condition and legal status are unclear but he has been charged with « tax fraud » and « subversion ». Kahar Abdiriyim, the elder brother of Alim and Ablikim, has also been charged with « tax fraud » and is being held at the Tianshan District detention centre. All three were formally charged on 13 June.
Alim and Ablikim Abdiriyim were detained along with their sister Rushangul and six other family members (four of them children) on 29 May, in an apparent attempt to prevent them from meeting with a United States Congressional Team which was scheduled to visit them the following day. The delegation included representatives of the US Congressional Human Rights Caucus. The official Chinese press, however, reported that the nine were detained due to alleged financial irregularities in Rebiya Kadeer’s business. All except one of Rebiya Kadeer’s family businesses have been closed or ordered to suspend activities. On 1 June, Alim and Ablikim Abdiriyim were beaten by police in front of their children and in front of Rushangul, who was then handed a mobile phone and told to call Rebiya Kadeer in the USA and tell her what was happening. Rushangul was later taken to hospital to be treated for symptoms related to stress and shock. She and Rebiya Kadeer’s brother Mamat Kadeer are currently reported to be under house arrest. The four grandchildren of Rebiya Kadeer who had been detained were released, but are reportedly being prevented from leaving their homes to attend school. There is no further information on Kaysar and Rayila, who were detained along with the four children.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Rebiya Kadeer is a former Amnesty International prisoner of conscience. Her family was subjected to harassment by the authorities following her initial detention in 1999 and has experienced intensified persecution since she was released from prison on medical parole on 17 March 2005. She was sent to the USA on her release. Prior to being freed, Rebiya Kadeer claims she was warned that if she engaged with members of the Uighur ethnic community or spoke publicly about « sensitive issues » after her release, her « businesses and children will be finished ». Rebiya Kadeer was recently elected President of the Uyghur American Association which established the UHRP. Since her release, Chinese police have launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities by her company, the Akida Trading Co in Urumqi. Rebiya Kadeer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Amnesty International considers that the ongoing harassment and reports of torture and ill-treatment of Rebiya Kadeer’s family cast serious doubt on the credibility of this investigation.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Chinese, English or your own language :
expressing deep concern about the reported beating of Ablikim Abdiriyim and torture of Alim Abdiriyim and calling on the authorities to launch a full, independent and impartial investigation into the allegations with a view to bringing those responsible to justice ;
calling on the Chinese government to guarantee that Ablikim, Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim have access to lawyers of their choice, to family members and any necessary medical treatment ;
calling on the authorities to lift restrictions on the freedom of movement of Rushangul Abdiriyim and Mamat Kadeer ;
requesting immediate guarantees for the safety of all individuals (five adults and four children) in detention or under house arrest ;
calling on the authorities to bring an end to human rights violations directed at members of Rebiya Kadeer’s family, including arbitrary detention, police harassment and other restrictions on their freedom of expression and association.
APPEALS TO :
Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China
WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli
The State Council
9 Xihuangcheng Genbeijie
Beijingshi 100032, People’s Republic of China
Fax : +86 10 65292345 (c/o Ministry of Communication)
Email : gazette mail.gov.cn
Salutation : Your Excellency
Chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional People’s Government
Ismail TILIWALDI Zhuxi
Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu
2 Zhongshanlu
Wulumuqishi 830041, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu, People’s Republic of China
Email : master xinjiang.gov.cn
Salutation : Dear Chairman
COPIES TO :
Mayor of Wulumuqi Municipal People’s Government
Shokrat Zakir Shizhang
Wulumuqi Shizhengfu Bangongting
1316 Kelamayi Donglu
Wulumuqi Shi 830063, Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu, People’s Republic of China
Fax : +86 991 4689654
Ambassade de la République Populaire de Chine
Avenue de Tervueren 463
1160 Bruxelles
Fax : 02.762.99.66
Fax : 02.779.28.95
Email : guo-wensong fmprc.gov.cn
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 21 August 2006.
Communication au réseau Actions Urgentes d’AIBF Juin 2006
La première action urgente lancée par Amnesty date du 19 mars 1973 suite à l’arrestation d’un professeur d’économie au Brésil, Luiz Rossi. Le bureau de la sécurité et de l’ordre public à San Paolo, fut submergé par une avalanche de lettres de membres d’Amnesty. « J’ai eu l’impression que le chef du bureau de la sécurité et de l’ordre public se sentait mal à l’aise et sous pression du fait de cette soudaine attention internationale à son égard » dira sa femme en 1996. À l’origine de cette action urgente, Scott Harrison et Ellen Moore, un couple établi à San Francisco qui redistribuait les fax et télégrammes reçus de Londres. À l’époque, il s’agit du seul bureau chargé de faire écho aux actions produites par le Secrétariat International à Londres. Pour en savoir plus sur leur histoire et les tous débuts des Actions Urgentes : http://www.amnestyinternational.be/doc/article8071.html Le bureau des actions urgentes d’Amnesty Belgique, grâce à vous, grâce à ses milliers de participants, continue ce travail crucial et important. Nous vous en remercions.
