Internet reopened in East Turkestan, but Uyghur webmasters and bloggers remain behind bars
Following today’s announcement in the Chinese state media that “full Internet access” has been restored in East Turkestan (also known as Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), the Uyghur American Association (UAA) calls upon the international community to remember the many Uyghur website administrators, bloggers and journalists who have been detained since July 5, 2009, many of whom remain in detention. UAA urges the Chinese government to release these individuals in order to demonstrate that the Internet in East Turkestan has become truly free. In addition, UAA calls upon the Chinese government to lift current restrictions on Uyghurs seeking Internet access in Internet cafés throughout China.
Chinese officials shut off all Internet and cell phone access in East Turkestan immediately following unrest that shook the regional capitol of Urumchi on July 5, 2009. International telephone communication was continuously blocked or heavily restricted for more than half a year after July 5, cutting off almost all communication between Uyghurs in East Turkestan and their family and friends living abroad. Among the thousands of Uyghurs who were arbitrarily detained and “forcibly disappeared” in the days, weeks and months after July 5 were the owners and staff of many Uyghur websites accused by the government of having promoted “separatism”.
via Internet reopened in East Turkestan, but Uyghur webmasters and bloggers remain behind bars.
