Sayragul Sauytbay was among a hundred women in the hall. She had been ordered by the camp guards to go but not told the reason. A woman, aged 20 or 21, was forced to confess to her supposed crimes. After which the guards proceeded to gang rape her before the gathering. Those watching who showed signs of distress were taken away and tortured themselves. Sauytbay is one of two ex-teachers from China’s “re-education” camps, who testified before the Uyghur Tribunal today. The tribunal is investigating whether China is guilty of genocide against the Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities.
SEXUAL ABUSE OF UYGHUR WOMEN PERVASIVE
Qelbinur Sedik, an Uzbek Muslim, was a teacher in the camp system for seven months in 2017. She taught Mandarin at a female-only camp to women aged between 18 and 40. Sedik did not know her students’ names—inmates were called by the numbers on their uniforms—and they were forbidden from talking about camp life. However, she quickly noticed that her students found it difficult to sit down or stand up, and most walked awkwardly. One brave student eventually confided in Sedik—the guards were raping them. Some women had electrical rods inserted into their vaginas.
To prevent the women getting pregnant, every Monday they were forced to take contraceptive pills and injections. Sedik remembers one woman died after bleeding for over a month as a result of the injections. The experience scarred Sedik who left the camp in September 2017. However, the control of Uyghur women’s reproduction extends beyond the camps, she says. In 2019, Sedik received notice that she must attend a clinic for sterilisation. It was made clear to her that refusal would result in “consequences” for her and her family. Sedik was not alone on the days she was sterilised: she queued for four hours with hundreds of other Muslim women at the clinic.
Expert witness Dr. Sean Roberts testified that the sexual attacks on Uyghur women were intended to humiliate the Uyghurs as a whole and destroy their social cohesion.
MISTREATMENT IN MALE CAMPS
Omar Bekali also testified to the mistreatment of Uyghur men in male-only camps. He spent nine months across three “re-education” camps. His cell had about 35 to 40 inmates. There were no beds or bedding, and everyone slept on the concrete floor. Each week about seven-to-ten men were taken out and disappeared, to be replaced by newcomers. The strongest and healthiest were usually taken first. According to Bekali, most inmates were well-educated lawyers, doctors, and businessmen.
Torture and mistreatment were common, Bekali testified. His fellow inmates were beaten and submerged in water tanks. He was hung up and struck with rods on the soles of his feet. All inmates had blood samples forcibly extracted and were given unknown medicines. Bekali says that he would often feel withdrawn, tired, and dizzy after these medicines. A former interpreter for the Zhu Hailun—Party Chief of Kashgar, Xinjiang—who was incarcerated for advocating Uyghur language rights, also testified to guards using electrocution, sleep deprivation, and sexual abuse on Uyghur prisoners.
The hearing continues tomorrow.
Samuel is a trainee solicitor and postgraduate at Cardiff University. He is active in several U.K.-based organisations campaigning on behalf of Hong Kong and BNOs. His research interests include transitional justice and the rule of law.