China Accused of Erasing Uyghur Culture Through Village Name Changes in Xinjiang

[Social Media]

 

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused China of systematically changing the names of hundreds of villages in the Xinjiang region, aiming to erase the culture and history of the Uyghur Muslim population. The allegations, detailed in a recent HRW report, suggest that between 2009 and 2023, the Chinese government replaced names related to Uyghur religion, history, or culture with terms that align with the ideology of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), such as "harmony" and "happiness."

 

This renaming initiative is part of a broader effort by Chinese authorities to assimilate the Uyghur minority into mainstream Chinese culture. The report, based on data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China, highlights that out of 25,000 villages in Xinjiang, 3,600 had their names changed during this period. While many of these changes might seem inconsequential, around one-fifth, or 630, specifically targeted names with significant cultural, historical, or religious connotations for the Uyghurs.

 

Examples of the changes include the replacement of words like "Hoja," a title for a Sufi religious teacher, and "Sultan," a political or honorific title, with terms reflecting CCP ideology. One notable instance is the renaming of Aq Meschit, which means "white mosque" in Akto County, to Unity village in 2018. HRW claims these changes are an attempt to eliminate references to Uyghur culture and impose a homogenous Chinese identity.

 

Xinjiang, home to the majority of China’s Uyghur Muslims, has been the focal point of international criticism due to allegations of human rights abuses. Reports from various human rights organizations and researchers have pointed to a pattern of systematic repression, including mass detentions, forced labor, and cultural assimilation policies aimed at eradicating Uyghur identity.

 

Despite these allegations, Chinese authorities have consistently denied any wrongdoing. In response to the HRW report, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in London refuted the claims, asserting that "people of all ethnic groups enjoy freedom of religious belief under the law" and that the "languages and cultures of the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities are protected and promoted."

 

The HRW report was conducted in collaboration with the Norway-based organization Uyghur Hjelp, examining the names of villages over a 14-year period. The study underscores the deliberate nature of these name changes and suggests that they are part of a broader strategy to assimilate the Uyghur population and suppress any distinct cultural or religious identity that could challenge the CCP's narrative of unity and harmony.

 

This latest report adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that China's policies in Xinjiang are aimed at cultural genocide. International reactions have varied, with some governments and human rights organizations calling for sanctions and other punitive measures against China. However, Beijing continues to assert its sovereignty over Xinjiang and denies all allegations of human rights abuses, framing its policies as necessary for national security and social stability.

 

The issue remains a contentious point in international relations, with significant implications for global human rights advocacy and the geopolitical dynamics involving China and the Western world. As the evidence of cultural erasure and human rights violations continues to mount, the international community faces increasing pressure to address these issues and hold the Chinese government accountable for its actions in Xinjiang.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-06-22

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

[Nick Carter icp]

58 minutes ago, Social Media said:

This latest report adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that China's policies in Xinjiang are aimed at cultural genocide

 

   I expect that there will be million people marches in Western Countries soon and boycotting China .

   There needs to be a two state solution .

Free Free the  Uigars .

From Mount Everest to the Black sea , Uigars will be free 

[thaipo7]

TUG - When you going to comment on this?  This must sound good to Biden and his administration.  

[Tug]

2 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

TUG - When you going to comment on this?  This must sound good to Biden and his administration.  

Not really interested it’s not my country sure sucks for the weagers though 

[herfiehandbag]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

China's policies in Xinjiang are aimed at cultural genocide.

Genocide is quite simply a deliberate attempt by one race, political faction and (usually) governing faction to destroy, by killing, a particular identifiable portion of their society.

 

The Holocaust in Europe was genocide, what happened in Rwanda ( Hutus and Tutsis) was genocide, what happens to the Yazeri people under ISIS was genocide. What happened to the Bosnian Muslims at Srebrinicia was genocide. In all these cases the principle method used was planned, premeditated and invariably brutal killing.

 

I hold no brief for the Chinese government's treatment of the Uigars, it is foul, it is inhuman, it is wicked, it is utterly wrong, and cynically cloaked behind a tattered veil of upholding civil rights.

 

It is not genocide.

 

To label it a such, using qualifying adjectives such as "cultural" entirely diminishes the concept.

 

Edited June 22 by herfiehandbag

[cncltd1973]

why haven't Muslim countries aided their persecuted religious brothers? not even economic or political sanctions, they seem content with letting this Muslim land transfer to infidels. maybe they know China won't tolerate their nonsense like other countries do

[Deerculler]

2 hours ago, Tug said:

Not really interested it’s not my country sure sucks for the weagers though 

If you are not interested now.

It will be to late by the time the CCP move into your country where you are and do the same thing

[simple1]

15 minutes ago, cncltd1973 said:

why haven't Muslim countries aided their persecuted religious brothers? not even economic or political sanctions, they seem content with letting this Muslim land transfer to infidels. maybe they know China won't tolerate their nonsense like other countries do

 

States often act purely out of self interest. More info below...

 

https://time.com/6160282/arab-world-complicit-china-repression-uighurs/

[placnx]

2 hours ago, cncltd1973 said:

why haven't Muslim countries aided their persecuted religious brothers? not even economic or political sanctions, they seem content with letting this Muslim land transfer to infidels. maybe they know China won't tolerate their nonsense like other countries do

Usually they follow the non-interference principle, so abuses in India and Burma are not contested, either.

[Gweiloman]

I wonder what places like New York, Washington DC, San Francisco etc were called by the natives before the colonisers from across the ocean came and wiped them out. Now, that’s genocide.

[Bkk Brian]

9 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I wonder what places like New York, Washington DC, San Francisco etc were called by the natives before the colonisers from across the ocean came and wiped them out. Now, that’s genocide.

How long ago was that, when was genocide made a crime? Have you anything to add to the topic apart from trying to deflect it?

[Gweiloman]

11 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

How long ago was that, when was genocide made a crime? Have you anything to add to the topic apart from trying to deflect it?

300 years is a blink of an eye, compared to China’s 5,000 years of continuous civilisation. The Uyghur population has been increasing significantly whilst there are hardly any natives left in America. Sadly, they are confined to living in reservations, those ‘savages’.

 

Yet, the former is labelled genocide whilst the latter is considered progress. Strange language, English.

[Bkk Brian]

5 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

300 years is a blink of an eye, compared to China’s 5,000 years of continuous civilisation. The Uyghur population has been increasing significantly whilst there are hardly any natives left in America. Sadly, they are confined to living in reservations, those ‘savages’.

 

Yet, the former is labelled genocide whilst the latter is considered progress. Strange language, English.

300 years is everything when genocide was not even a crime and modern history was being born.

[Gweiloman]

13 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

300 years is everything when genocide was not even a crime and modern history was being born.

Do I sense deflection? Surely not…

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Gweiloman said:

Do I sense deflection? Surely not…

Yes.............

 

49 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I wonder what places like New York, Washington DC, San Francisco etc were called by the natives before the colonisers from across the ocean came and wiped them out. Now, that’s genocide.

 

[save the frogs]

Have they torn down Kashgar Old Town? 

 

 

[Hummin]

12 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

300 years is everything when genocide was not even a crime and modern history was being born.

You have a selective mind. 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Hummin said:

You have a selective mind. 

Nah, just factual.

 

 

The Modern Era, also known as the Modern Age or Modern Period, was a historical time period that spanned the years 1500 to 1945.

https://study.com/academy/lesson/modern-age-history-timeline-facts-era.html#:~:text=The Modern Era%2C also known,and the Late Modern Period.

 

In 1946, the first session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that affirmed genocide was a crime under international law 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide#:~:text=In 1946%2C the first session,legal definition of the crime).

[Denim]

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

I wonder what places like New York, Washington DC, San Francisco etc were called by the natives before the colonisers from across the ocean came and wiped them out. Now, that’s genocide.

 

Oh. I see where you are coming from. Basically  , you are saying that since this kind of thing has many historical precedents it is perfectly normal and acceptable  in these modern times. It's OK when this sort of thing happens right now because hey , America was founded like this so why shouldn't  China also do it.

 

Cool. The CCP must be such great guys to follow such a noble aspect of human behavior.

[CallumWK]

48 minutes ago, Denim said:

Oh. I see where you are coming from.

 

You are replying to a CCP board member