Groups urge release of Uyghur Canadian imprisoned in China (Uyghur News Roundup: April 1–7, 2023)

April 8, 2023 | Voice of America | By Asim Kashgarian

Groups urge release of Uyghur Canadian imprisoned in China

In 2006, Huseyin Celil, a Uyghur Canadian, was imprisoned in China for speaking up for Uyghur rights. After being arrested in Uzbekistan and handed over to China, he was charged with “terrorism” and “splitism,” and was initially sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life, and then to 20 years. The Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights and the Uyghur Human Rights Project have called for his release, as has the Canadian government, which has been actively involved in his case and continues to discuss it with Chinese officials. The Chinese Embassy in Washington says it’s unaware of the specifics of the case.

Rights group calls for release of Uyghur Canadian citizen held in Chinese jail for 17 years

Quote of note

“China must also allow consular access to Canadian officials and family members. China also has to clarify when Huseyin [Celil] will be released, given that he’s nearly served his 20-year reduced sentence, and what his fate will be once released. Huseyin must be able to reunite with his family.”

— Peter Irwin, a senior program officer at the Washington-based Uyghur Human Rights Project

Read the full article: https://www.voanews.com/a/uyghur-news-roundup-april-1-7-2023-/7041495.html