UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Holds that Uyghur Family of Four are Unlawfully Detained
JUSTICE ABROAD
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Justice Abroad is instructed to push for the release of Abdurashid Tohti, 56 years old, his wife, Tajigul Qadir, aged 51, as well as their sons, Mohamed Ali Abdurashid, aged 30, and Ametjan Abdurashid. This Uyghur family has been unlawfully arrested and transferred into China’s vast network of camps because other members of the family live abroad in the United States of America and Turkey.
In September 2020, Justice Abroad made submissions to the United Nation’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) and received a reply from the Working Group following its 93rd session.
In its decision, the Working Group concluded that:
· the arrests and the subsequent detention of the family members is arbitrary;
· they have been deprived of their right to a fair and public trial;
· there was no legal basis for the arrests; and that
· the arrest and detention of the four individuals was discriminatory and therefore in violation of article 2 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights as it was based on them belonging to the Uyghur ethnicity and being of Muslim faith.
Further, the Working Group stated that they were disturbed by the total secrecy which surrounds the fate and whereabouts of this family and concluded that:
“In the light of the foregoing, the Working Group renders the following opinion: The deprivation of liberty of Abdurashid Tohti, Tajigul Qadir, Ametjan Abdurashid and Mohamed Ali Abdurashid, being in contravention of articles 2, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is arbitrary and falls within categories I, III and V.
The Working Group concluded that, considering all the circumstances of the case, the appropriate remedy is for the release of Mr. Abdurashid Tohti, Ms. Tajigul Qadir, Mr. Ametjan Abdurashid, and Mr Mohamed Abdurashid immediately
The Working Group’s decision can be found here - https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-06/A-HRC-WGAD-2022-6-CHN-AEV.pdf
Previous statements about this case can be found here:
Previous Press coverage of this matter can be found here:
· http://xinjiang.amnesty.org/case/sr100-memeteli-abdurashid/
· https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/10/08/i-was-a-model-uighur-china-took-my-family-anyway/
On social media we are using the hashtag #FreeNursFamily. Justice Abroad can be found on Twitter here, Facebook here, and LinkedIn here.
Media requests for interviews with Michael Polak or members of the Abdurashid family can be accommodated in any language requested and should be made by contacting Justice Abroad by email at contact@JusticeAbroad.co.uk or phone on +44 (0)203 488 2316.
Notes to Editors
Justice Abroad, www.justiceabroad.co.uk has been set up to help those trying to find their way through foreign justice systems with all the associated hurdles that presents, to represent those facing gross breaches of their human rights no matter where this takes place, and to advise and assist the victims of crimes as to how to achieve justice.
Justice Abroad, run by International lawyer Michael Polak, has assembled a team of top investigators, lawyers, and support staff to provide unparalleled support, advice and guidance, legal, advocacy, and investigatory service for your Justice Abroad issues anywhere in the world. The Justice Abroad team with their trusted international pool of multilingual experts, their networks, and media contacts and their well-documented determination to leave no stone unturned in the search for the truth and justice for families who have been denied it are here to provide that much needed support for families and individuals in their time of need.