China To Sentence Uyghur Christian To Labor Camp, Mother Says
By Worthy News Asia Service
BEIJING, CHINA (Worthy News) — The mother of imprisoned Uyghur Christian Alimujiang Yimitihas urged the international community to help “rescue her son” after learning that China’s main law enforcement agency plans to sentence her son “secretly to three years of re-education through labor” because of his Christian activities.
China’s system of “re-education through labor” empowers police to sentence petty criminals for up to three years’ jail, including in camps, without going through the courts.
In a statement, released by advocacy group China Aid Association Thursday, May 28, Alimujiang’s 65-year-old mother, Wushuerhan, said she felt “despair” at hearing of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in Kashi City in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
She added she “prays that the Lord will mobilize many kind-hearted people to help rescue” her son. CAA said the mother already visited Kashi officials on an “almost daily basis”, petitioningauthorities “in tears for Alimujiang’s release.”
“INCITING SECESSION”
Alimujiang Yimiti has been detained at Kashi Municipal Detention center since January 12, 2008, on charges of “suspicion of inciting secession and organizing people in stealing, spying, buying and illegally providing state secrets or intelligence to overseas organizations.”
However local Christians say the reason for his imprisonment is his Christian faith “and witness” among the Uyghur people.
Last year the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said Alimujiang Yimiti’s detention for more than one year “is arbitrary” and said the Chinese government “should take the necessary steps to correct the situation.”
“ILLEGAL DETENTION”
CAA President Bob Fu told Worthy News that the long-term “illegal detention” of Alimujiang Yimiti, has “seriously affected China’s image in the international community.” He said CAA has urged China and the Xinjiang government to end the “wrongful actions against an innocent, law-abiding citizen and the devastating affects of his 16 month detention on his wife, mother and children.”
Rights groups have suggested Alimujiang’s detention is part of a wider government backed crackdown on Christian activities outside the state controlled churches as Christianity has spread throughout China, with up to 130 million reported believers across the country.
There was no immediate reaction from Chinese police officials. However the Communist government has denied allegations of religious rights abuses, saying authorities only follow the laws of the land.
CAA said Alimujiang’s supporters can contact Chinese embassies in their countries or the Xinjiang Government Leadership Office via telephone and fax number +86-991-280-3226 and the Xinjiang Government Law Management Office via +86-991-235-6033. The Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. can be reached via Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, 3505 International Place, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, or phone: + 1 202 495-2000 and fax: + 1 202 495-2190, CAA said.