Rebiya Kadeer full press confrence with ABC FORA - Part 6-6 end

If the Chinese government had not attempted to censor her public appearances, it would be unlikely that many Australians would know who Rebiya Kadeer is. As leader of the Islamic Uighur minority in the Chinese-controlled East Turkistan, Ms. Kadeer's vocal criticisms of the Chinese repression of Uighar human rights have resulted in an 8 year spell in a Chinese run prison. She claims that the Chinese government has been embarked on a 60-year long systematic cultural genocide of Uighar people, language and practices.

It's difficult to confirm the claims and counter claims but the Uigher's plight came back on the international agenda in July 2009, when violence between Chinese state police, Han Chinese and Uighurs erupted in the city of Urumqi, resulting in the death of around 200 people.

If the Chinese government had their way, you wouldn't be able to watch this talk, given at the National Press Club in Canberra. They attempted to prevent Ms. Kadeer from addressing the club, and then to prevent the event being broadcast in the media.

Rebiya Kadeer is in Australia to promote a documentary of her life and struggle. "Ten Conditions of Love", by filmmaker Jeff Daniels, screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival, despite strong objections by the Chinese government. Before coming to international attention as a vocal leader for her people, she was a highly successful entrepreneur.

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• humanrights
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