PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 17/060/2006

1 December 2006

Further Information on UA 156/06 (ASA 17/032/2006, 2 June 2006) and follow-up (ASA 17/038/2006, 10 July 2006) - Fear of torture and ill-treatment/Detention without charge/Medical concern

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC Ablikim Abdiriyim (m) aged 33

OF CHINA Alim Abdiriyim (m) aged 31

Rushangul Abdiriyim (f) aged 36

Kahar Abdiriyim (m) aged 42

Mamat Kadeer (m)

Kaysar (m) aged approx 38

Rayila (f) aged 24

Razia (f) aged 15

Sardar Kaysar (m) aged 9

Epar Alim (f) aged 4

Turghun (m) aged 8

Family members of ethnic Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer are still being targeted by the Chinese authorities. Her son Ablikim Abdiriyim, who has reportedly suffered severe beatings, was seen being carried out of Tianshan District Detention Center on a stretcher on 26 November, apparently in need of medical attention. Amnesty International believes his health is in danger, and that he is at risk of further torture or ill-treatment.

Two more of Rebiya Kadeer's sons, Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim, were sentenced on 27 November to heavy fines, and Alim also to a prison sentence of seven years, on charges of tax evasion. They had been charged with 46 counts of tax evasion, and ordered, together with the family business, to pay fines amounting to millions of US dollars.

Ablikim has been awaiting trial on the charges of “subversion” as well as tax evasion. He was reportedly hospitalized for over a month as a result of a severe beating which took place in front of his family in June. He was later moved to the Tianshan Detention Centre where he has regularly endured long interrogations, and reportedly undergone beatings and other ill-treatment. There are reports that he has been very ill but has been denied medical care. Guards have reportedly refused to let him have warm clothes sent by his family, and he has reportedly suffered greatly from the very cold weather.

On 26 November, Rebiya Kadeer was elected president of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC) in Munich. According to the US-based Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), she had learned from sources in Urumchi that the Chinese authorities were willing to be lenient with her sons if she did not run for the presidency of the WUC. At the time the trial of Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim began on 27 October the court announced that the sentences would be passed within ten days. The fact that sentences were not pronounced until 27 November, three weeks later than anticipated, suggests the delay was linked to her decision to run in the WUC election, and follows a pattern of retribution against her family for her overseas human rights activities.

Rebiya Kadeer’s daughter Rushangul Abdiriyim has been released from house arrest, imposed in June this year after she witnessed her brothers Ablikim and Alim Abdiriyim being beaten. Her home had been surrounded by seven policemen and she had been unable to go outside.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rebiya Kadeer was first detained as a prisoner of conscience in 1999. Her family were harassed by the authorities after this, and this has intensified since she was released from prison on medical parole on 17 March 2005, and allowed to leave China to go to the USA. Rebiya Kadeer claims that while she was still in custody she was warned that if she engaged with members of the Uighur ethnic community or spoke publicly about "sensitive issues" after her release, her "businesses and children will be finished". Since her release, Chinese police have launched an investigation into alleged financial irregularities by her company, the Akida Trading Co in Urumqi.Rebiya Kadeer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. On 1 June, Alim and Ablikim Abdiriyim were beaten by police in front of their children and in front of their sister, Rushangul, who was then handed a mobile phone and told to call Rebiya Kadeer in the USA and tell her what was happening. The harassment and reported torture and ill-treatment of Rebiya Kadeer’s family cast serious doubt on the credibility of the police investigation.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Chinese, English or your own language:

- expressing deep concern at reports that Ablikim Abdiriyim is still being tortured or ill-treated in custody, and calling on the authorities to launch a full, independent and impartial investigation and bring those responsible to justice;

- urging the authorities to ensure that he is given all the medical treatment he needs;

- calling on the authorities to guarantee that Ablikim Abdiriyim will be given a fair trial, with access to a lawyer of his choice, and that Alim and Kahar Abdiriyim will be given fair hearings if they appeal against their sentences;

- asking the authorities to give immediate guarantees for the safety of all members of Rebiya Kadeer’s family in detention;

- calling on the authorities to bring an end to the human rights violations directed at Rebiya Kadeer’s family, including arbitrary detention, police harassment and other restrictions on their freedom of movement and expression.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China

WEN Jiabao Guojia Zongli

The State Council, 9 Xihuangcheng Genbeijie

Beijingshi 100032, People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 10 65292345 (c/o Ministry of Communication)

Email: gazette@mail.gov.cn

Salutation: Your Excellency

Chairman of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regional People's Government

Ismail TILIWALDI Zhuxi

Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu Renmin Zhengfu

2 Zhongshanlu, Wulumuqishi 830041

Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu, People's Republic of China

Email: master@xinjiang.gov.cn

Salutation: Dear Chairman

COPIES TO:

Mayor of Wulumuqi Municipal People's Government

Shokrat Zakir Shizhang

Wulumuqi Shizhengfu Bangongting

1316 Kelamayi Donglu, Wulumuqi Shi 830063

Xinjiang Weiwuer Zizhiqu

People's Republic of China

Fax: +86 991 4689654

Salutation: Dear Mayor

and to diplomatic representatives of the People's Republic of China accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 12 January 2007.