Devastating Blows
Religious Repression of Uighurs in Xinjiang

   Map 1

   Map 2

I. Summary

A note on methodology

II. Background

The political identity of Xinjiang

Uighur Islam

A history of restiveness

The turning point––unrest in 1990, stricter controls from Beijing

Post 9/11: labeling Uighurs terrorists

Literature becomes sabotage

The international response––acquiescence and quid pro quos

III. National Law and Policy on Religion

IV. A Repressive Framework: Regulation of Religion in Xinjiang

Policies Hidden from the Public

Regulation in 1994-2001: “Keeping a handle on” the imams and party cadres

The 2001 draft amendments to the 1994 Regulations: narrowing the scope of “normal” religious activities

A Manual for Urumqi Municipality Ethnic Religious Work

V. Implementation: Restrictions on Freedom of Religion in Practice

Registration of religious organizations: a no-win situation

The “reeducation” of imams in 2001 and 2002

Control and conformity: supervision of mosques in 2001

The persecution of clerics and the demolition of mosques

A Case of “Extremism”

VI. Controlling Religion in the Education System

Minors barred from “participating in religious activities” in Xinjiang

Purging the schools of religion

Enforcement through surveillance

Special campaigns

VII. Anti-Crime Campaigns and Religious Repression

Unrelenting crackdowns

Sweeps by law enforcement agencies

VIII. Religious “Offenders” in Detention

IX. Freedom of Religion and China’s Responsibility Under International Law

X. Recommendations

To the government of the People’s Republic of China

To the international community

To international organizations and mechanisms

To international donors and aid groups working in Xinjiang, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank

   Appendices

   Acknowledgements