In a concerning development, three Uyghur scholars have been handed severe sentences for what authorities claim are acts of separatism. Dr. Rahile Dawut, a prominent figure in Uyghur culture and literature, has been sentenced to life imprisonment, while Dr. Nurmemet Omer Uchqun faces a 10-year sentence, and Dr. Ababekri Abdurishit has been sentenced to 13 years, Uyghur linguist and activist Abduweli Ayup confirmed the news.
The charges against these scholars revolve around their involvement in the study and promotion of Uyghur culture and literature. The authorities allege that these activities amount to separatism, a claim vehemently denied by the scholars and their supporters.
Dr. Rahile Dawut, a Uyghur scholar at Xinjiang University known for her dedication to preserving and promoting Uyghur cultural heritage, was reported last year to have been sentenced to life behind bars. The U.S. State Department condemned the sentence and called on the Chinese government to release her
The international community has expressed deep concern over the sentencing, condemning what appears to be a crackdown on intellectual and cultural pursuits within the Uyghur community.
