UYGHUR ONLINE

In 2005, Ilham Tohti recognized the value of on-line discussions and the power of dialogue to resolve conflict when he founded the website Uyghur Online, also known as Uyghurbiz. The Ilham Tohti Institute restored much of the Uyghur Online site here. Tohti wanted to provide a platform for exchange and discussion among Uyghur and Han Chinese. His intention was to promote “mutual understanding as well as dialogue among ethnic communities, ” which he elaborates on in this autobiographic piece.

In 2010, Uyghur Online manager and journalist Gherat Niyaz was detained and later sentenced to 15 years in prison for “endangering state security.” In 2014 following Tohti’s arrest, a number of students and Uyghur Online volunteers were arrested and remain in detention today.  

Top left: Memetjan Abdullah, courtesy of Radio Free Asia Top center: Mehbube Ablesh, courtesy of Radio Free Asia Top right: Ablikim Abdiriyim, UHRP photo

Middle left: Gulmire Imin Middle center: Dilshat Perhat, courtesy of Diyarim.com Middle right: Mutellip Imin, courtesy of Uyghur Online

Bottom left: Ilham Tohti, June 12, 2010 © Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images Bottom center: Gheyret Niyaz, March 25, 2010. Radio Free Asia screen grab from Uyghur Online Bottom right: Tursunjan Hezim in Aksu, July 5, 2007. Courtesy of Erkin Sidik

Composite of Uyghurs imprisoned for their online activity assembled by the Uyghur Human Rights Project