Zubayra Shamseden commemorates the 1997 Ghulja massacre, reflecting on ongoing Uyghur repression and calling for the release of unjustly imprisoned individuals amid global attention to China’s policies.
In early February, Zubayra Shamseden reflects on her tragic loss from nearly three decades ago, as China’s oppressive policies against Uyghurs continue. “I have been commemorating this day and protesting for 28 years,” she stated, emphasizing the significance of the Ghulja massacre in 1997, which marked the beginning of ongoing Uyghur persecution.
During this massacre, many protesters were killed by Chinese forces in a brutal crackdown on a peaceful demonstration. Shamseden also lost family members in subsequent crackdowns, demanding the release of unjustly imprisoned relatives. Her recent protest outside the Chinese Embassy aimed to highlight the horrors of that day.
China’s response to the Ghulja massacre, labeled a “riot,” contradicts international views, with the U.S. officially recognizing the situation as genocide. Shamseden recalls Uyghur youth peacefully advocating for cultural rights that day, a community gathering that was deemed a threat by Chinese authorities, ultimately leading to repression of their cultural practices and gatherings.
Source : Uyghurs mark 28 years since Ghulja violence, condemn ongoing repression
