Illham Tohti and Xinjiang

1
Illham Tohti and Xinjiang

• Matthew Riddle

2
Context

• Beijing concerned with separatism Xinjiang.
• Views Xinjiang as having Islamic militant groups
• The area is currently in a state of high security
  by Chinese forces

3
Ilham Tohti

• An Uighur economics professor
• Runs a popular Uighur- and Chinese-language
  website, Uygurbiz

4
Illham Tohti

• Recently, arrested, tried, and convicted for life
  for separatism
• "spread lessons containing separatist
  thoughts.", "make an international issue of
  Xinjiang agreeing to interviews with foreign
  journalists and media organizations.

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Reactions

• The harsh sentence has been criticized by many
  Western governments and human rights
  organizations.
• Many are also saying jailing Tohti will only
  encourage more extreme groups.
• Rallies and groups are calling for his release

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Implications

• Increased tensions and ethnic conflict
• Complicates Beijing's foreign policy, especially
  in the Middle East
• Prevents the emergence of a healthy, open
  dialogue

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Bibliography

• http//online.wsj.com/articles/michael-clarke-chin
  as-xinjiang-blunder-1412182297
• http//www.dailysabah.com/columns/kilic-bugra-kana
  t/2014/09/29/what-does-the-sentencing-of-ilham-toh
  ti-mean-for-uighurs-china-and-the-international-sy
  stem
• http//www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29321701
• http//www.bbc.com/news/blogs-china-blog-29222725