"We Are Afraid to Even Look for Them"
Enforced Disappearances in the Wake of Xinjiang’s Protests
October 20, 2009
This 44-page report by Human Rights Watch documents the widespread campaign of unlawful arrests carried out by Chinese security forces in the Uyghur areas of Urumchi in the wake of July 5. The “enforced disappearances” of Uyghur men and teenagers in Urumchi occurred as a result of large-scale sweep operations as well as targeted raids. While Human Rights Watch was able to secretly document the cases of 43 "enforced disappearances", the total number of unlawfully arrested Uyghurs is likely much higher.
Table of Contents
“We Are Afraid to Even Look for Them”
Map of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region
Map of Urumqi
Summary
Methodology
I. Background
II. Official Data on Arrests and Due Process Concerns
III. Enforced Disappearances and Unlawful Arrests
IV. Legal Standards
V. Recommendations
VI. Acknowledgments
VII. Appendix
