SAR, May 10, 2018
May 10, 2018 – Scholars at Risk (SAR) is gravely concerned about the reported arrest and detention of Abdulqadir Jalaleddin, a literature professor at Xinjiang Pedagogical University. SAR respectfully urges Chinese authorities to secure Prof. Jalaleddin's immediate release.
Prof. Jalaleddin, a member of China’s Uyghur minority community, is a prominent academic and writer. On January 29, 2018, police reportedly raided Professor Jalaleddin’s home, placed a black hood over his head, and took him into custody. According to a local official, authorities brought him to a “political re-education camp” in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
No charges against Prof. Jalaleddin have been made public. He reportedly remains in detention without access to family or legal counsel.
Prof. Jalaleddin's arrest and detention are part of a pattern of sweeping actions by Chinese authorities, beginning in January 2017, against members of the Uyghur minority community. These include ordering students studying abroad to return to the region (in some cases reportedly holding students' family members' hostage to force their compliance with the order) and detaining thousands in re-education camps and other detention centers.
SAR asks for emails, letters, and faxes urging Chinese authorities to release Prof. Jalaleddin unconditionally, and to drop any charges that stem from his peaceful exercise of the right to academic freedom; and, pending this, to disclose his location, make public any charges against him, ensure immediately his well-being while in detention, and ensure that his case is addressed in a manner consistent with recognized standards of due process, fair trial, and imprisonment, in accordance with China's obligations under international law.
_________________
Subject: Release Prof. Abdulqadir Jalaleddin
Your Letter:
President Xi Jinping
The State Council General Office
2 Fuyoujie
Xichengqu
Beijingshi 100017
People's Republic of China
cc: Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United States; United States Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China; Secretary of State, United States of America; United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Scholars at Risk Network
Your Excellency:
I write to express grave concern over the reported arrest and detention of Abdulqadir Jalaleddin, a literature professor at Xinjiang Pedagogical University. I urge Chinese authorities to secure Prof. Jalaleddin's unconditional release and, pending this, to ensure his right to humane treatment and due process.
Prof. Jalaleddin, a member of China’s Uyghur minority community, is a prominent academic and writer. I understand from Scholars at Risk (SAR) that on January 29, 2018, police reportedly raided Professor Jalaleddin’s home, placed a black hood over his head, and took him into custody. According to a local official, authorities brought him to a “political re-education camp” in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. No charges against Prof. Jalaleddin have been made public, and that he remains in detention without access to family or legal counsel.
I further understand from SAR that Prof. Jalaleddin's arrest and detention are part of a pattern of sweeping actions by Chinese authorities, beginning in January 2017, against members of the Uyghur minority community. These include ordering students studying abroad to return to the region (in some cases reportedly holding students' family members' hostage to force their compliance with the order) and detaining thousands in re-education camps and other detention centers.
Absent any information that may clarify our understanding of these events, the facts as described above suggest that Prof. Jalaleddin was arrested and detained in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of the right to academic freedom, freedom of expression, and freedom of association—conduct that is expressly protected under international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which China is signatory. In addition to the harm to Prof. Jalaleddin and his family, such incidents have a chilling effect on academic freedom and suggest an attempt to undermine academic communities and limit free expression.
I therefore respectfully urge you to release Prof. Jalaleddin unconditionally and to drop any charges that stem from his peaceful exercise of the right to academic freedom; and, pending this, to disclose his whereabouts; make any charges against him public; ensure immediately his well-being while in prison, including humane treatment and access to medical care, books, legal counsel, and family; and to ensure that his case is addressed in a manner consistent with internationally recognized standards of due process, fair trial, and imprisonment, in accordance with China’s obligations under international law.
I thank you for your attention to this important matter, and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
The Honorable Xi Jinping
President, People's Republic of China
Email:[email protected]
cc: The Honorable Mr. Wang Yi
Minister of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China
cc: The Honorable Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Email:[email protected]
cc: Scholars at Risk
Email:[email protected]
cc: The Honorable Mike Pompeo
United States Secretary of State
cc: Ambassador Terry Branstad
U.S. Embassy China
Email:[email protected]
Fax:+86(10) 6532-692
cc: The Honorable H.E. Mr. Cui Tiankai
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the United States
Email:[email protected]
Fax:+1 (202) 328-258
