For anyone paying attention to China, the Chinese party-state’s celebration of its advances in “rule by law” have been somewhat overshadowed by the Chen Guangcheng affair and the “disappearance” of AiWeiwei’s lawyer. Those of us paying to attention to Xinjiang will know that arbitrary detentions are not unusual in this part of the world and actually seem to be on the rise since the violence of July 2009. Some Uyghur rights groups claim up to 10,000 remain missing but we may never find out. The last few weeks have seen some strange reports in this regard. Radio Free Asia ran the story of Rozimemet Aziz, who disappeared with no explanation from the authorities after being detained on July 31st 2009. What was odd about this case was that he was a party member who is claimed to have volunteered to provide paramilitary police with water and fruit whilst on duty in Urumchi. Not your average terrorist then!
Radio Free Asia also reported that the police witness who was dealing with such cases mysteriously died last week and his death looks likely to remain a mystery. Those petitioning the central authorities to find their loved ones have been bizarrely banned from Beijing buses and allegedly beaten by police. Perhaps if Melissa Chan, the journalist looking into China’s “black jails” hadn’t been expelled, she could have taken a look at Xinjiang. Hopefully someone else will as the world’s media are too quiet too often on all things Xinjiang.
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