Exiled Uyghurs in the US Face Intensified Transnational Repression from China

Exiled Uyghurs in the US report rising transnational repression by China. Threatened through relatives back home, they face harassment and are forced into silence. Leading figures like Elfidar Iltebir highlight an increasing climate of fear and pressure, while US authorities acknowledge and address the issue.

Exiled Uyghur individuals in the United States are voicing escalating concerns about transnational repression from the Chinese government. Many report being silenced through threats to their relatives in East Turkistan. This increased pressure aims to stifle their activism abroad, Voice of America (VOA) revealed.

Elfidar Iltebir, president of the Uyghur American Association (UAA), shared her experiences of harassment by Chinese trolls. 'I've been targeted online with fake accounts. Chinese trolls registered for a webinar using fake emails and posted my home address, saying, We are watching you,' she stated, prompting her to boost her home's security. According to Iltebir, these acts of repression have intensified in the past two years, leading many to fear for their families' safety and step back from activism.

Iltebir noted that nearly every Uyghur American has a detained relative in East Turkistan, which has led to increased fear and repression. She observed a growing climate of fear within the UAA, with supporters hesitant to be publicly involved. Chinese agents allegedly use relatives back home to deter Uyghurs in the US from participating in political or cultural events. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not respond to VOA's repeated requests for comment.

The FBI has acknowledged being aware of China's targeting of Uyghurs and other ethnic minority groups within the US. 'These acts often identified as transnational repression (TNR) - represent severe violations of international norms, US law, and individual rights and freedoms,' the agency told VOA. The FBI has worked to raise awareness among law enforcement and provide resources in multiple languages, including Uyghur, to help vulnerable communities recognize and resist repressive tactics.

The Uyghur community, a largely Muslim minority group in East Turkistan, has seen mounting global condemnation of China's policies in the region. The US, the UN, the European Parliament, and various human rights organizations have accused Beijing of crimes against humanity and genocide.

(With inputs from agencies.)