The Uyghur American Association and the Uyghur Human Rights Project is pleased to congratulate Rebiya Kadeer on winning this year´s Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize. “It´s a great day not only for Rebiya Kadeer, but for all Uyghurs as well,” Nury Turkel, UAA President said. “Wining the Rafto prize is recognition of not only Rebiya Kadeer´s promotion of human rights for the Uyghur people, but it also is further recognition by the world community that the People´s Republic of China is mistreating the Uyghurs.” (29-SEP-2004)

According to Turkel, the People´s Republic of China should release Kadeer immediately. “Now is a good time for the People´s Republic of China to show its goodwill by releasing Kadeer,” Turkel said. “Keeping her locked up only draws more attention to her plight.” Rebiya Kadeer was detained by Chinese public security agents in August 1999 just before she was to meet with members of a US Congressional delegation in Urumqi, East Turkistan (also known as China´s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region).

Sentenced to eight years of prison
Kadeer, a successful Uyghur businesswomen and human rights activist, founded the ´thousand mothers movement´ in 1997 to promote economic opportunities for Uyghur women. Kadeer was sentenced in 2000 to eight years in prison for “separatist” activities. She currently scheduled to be released in 2006.

A victory for all Uyghurs
According to Kadeer´s husband, Sidik Rouzi, who will accept the prize on her behalf, the award is very gratifying. “My wife has struggled on behalf of the Uyghur people, and it is very nice that she has been recognized in such a prestigious way,” Sidik said. “However, this is a victory for all Uyghurs. The purpose of the prize is bring the world´s attention to the abuse of our rights by the Chinese government, more-so than honor the actions of my wife.”

The world does care
According to Turkel, this award will benefit all Uyghurs. “Beijing has long told the Uyghurs that the world does not care about us, and that we should give up hope,” Turkel said. “This award should give all Uyghurs hope, because it shows that the world does care about the Uyghurs, and that the People´s Republic of China cannot continue to deprive us of our rights with impunity.”

According to the Thorolf Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, which selects the recipient for its annual award, Rebiya Kadeer has distinguished herself as a proponent for Uyghur human rights. The Foundation is calling on the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release Kadeer, as well as begin to respect Uyghurs cultural and religious freedoms.

Since 1990, four Rafto prize winners have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Source: 
The Uyghur American Association, press release, 26 Sept. 2004
Contact: Meagan Landry,  (202) 349-1496.