What was in the leaked files on China’s detention of Uighur Muslims?
Officials told to show ‘absolutely no mercy’ in clampdown on ethnic minorities
Leaked documents allegedly shared among Chinese Communist Party officials have laid bare the details of Beijing’s brutal crackdown on ethnic and religious minorities within the country’s borders.
The 403-page internal government file was given to The New York Times by a “member of the Chinese political establishment”.
It cites President Xi Jinping’s request that security personnel show “absolutely no mercy” in their suppression of ethnic Uighurs and other Muslim groups.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The crackdown has seen more than one million civilians sent to detention camps - mainly in the Xinjiang region of China - where they are subjected to political indoctrination. China first denied the existence of such camps, before relenting and claiming that their sole purpose is to “re-educate” dissenting voices and root out terrorism.
What do the leaked papers say?
The documents were released by an anonymous Chinese official and reveal that President Xi first called for the crackdown in a series of private speeches given to officials during and after a visit to Xinjiang in 2014, The Guardian says.
This came shortly after Uighur militants attacked a train station, stabbing and killing 29 people and wounding more than 100 others.
Citing a speech made by Xi shortly after the visit, the Guardian reports that Xi said China must begin a “struggle against terrorism, infiltration and separatism”, adding: “We must be as harsh as them and show absolutely no mercy.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Xi did not explicitly order the creation of a large network of camps, the documents reveal, but said that his party should use the “organs of dictatorship” to deal with the threat of terrorism.
The papers also contain a series of directives to officials in the region, advising on how to pressure the local population into remaning silent about the disappearance of family members into camps. Officials are told to answer questions about when individuals can return home from the camps by saying: “Freedom is only possible when this ‘virus’ in their thinking is eradicated and they are in good health.”
The documents also reveal that secretary of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Chen Quanguo gave orders in February 2017 for authorities to engage in a “smashing, obliterating offensive” and to “round up everyone who should be rounded up”, says The Telegraph.
What has the response been?
The information has sparked outrage among human rights campaigners and activists, with the Asia Times reporting that it is hoped Western powers will offer a sterner condemnation of the Chinese Communist Party’s behaviour after the leak.
Democratic US presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren tweeted that the report details “a horrifying human rights violation”, calling China’s crackdown “cruel” and “bigoted”. The World Uyghur Congress described the findings as “truly chilling” and another form of “genocide”, calling China a “country with concentration camps” in a tweet.
The New York Times reports that the leaked papers reveal that one of the most surprising reactions to the supression of the Uighur Muslims has come from within China, with the plans facing “unexpected resistance from officials who feared a backlash and economic damage”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The best TV spy thrillers
The Week Recommends Brilliant espionage series, packed with plot twists to keep you hooked until the end
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine-Russia: are both sides readying for nuclear war?
Today's Big Question Putin changes doctrine to lower threshold for atomic weapons after Ukraine strikes with Western missiles
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hugh Corcoran and The Yellow Bittern: is the customer really always right?
Talking Point A new London restaurant has caused controversy by complaining about customer eating habits
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published