Uyghur residential segregation

Date and country of first publication

2015
Australia

Definition

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Uyghur residential segregation refers to the practice of separating Uyghur Muslims, an ethnic minority group in China, from the rest of the population and confining them to specific residential areas. This practice is primarily implemented in the Xinjiang region, which is the traditional homeland of the Uyghur people.

The Chinese government justifies this segregation by citing security concerns and the need to prevent terrorist activities and separatism in the region. They argue that by concentrating Uyghur populations in specific areas, it is easier to monitor and control them.

Under this policy, Uyghur communities often face restrictions on mobility, with increased surveillance and strict checkpoints in place. Some reports suggest that the Chinese government has constructed large-scale internment camps or "reeducation centers" where Uyghur Muslims are detained without due process or legal representation. These camps are alleged to be part of an intensive assimilation program aimed at eroding Uyghur culture, language, and religious practices.

Critics argue that Uyghur residential segregation is a form of systemic discrimination and cultural suppression, violating basic human rights. They claim that the policy perpetuates social and economic inequalities, marginalizes the Uyghur community, and fosters an environment of fear and oppression.

Multiple independent reports and sources have raised concerns about widespread human rights abuses and violations against Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. The Chinese government denies the allegations and asserts that they are taking necessary measures to combat extremism and maintain stability in the region.

The international community has expressed growing alarm over the situation in Xinjiang. Some countries and organizations have labeled it as a form of cultural genocide or ethnic cleansing. However, due to political and economic interests, the response from the global community has been limited, with only a few countries imposing sanctions or taking significant actions against China for its treatment of Uyghur Muslims.

Overall, Uyghur residential segregation is a contentious issue, with sharp divisions between the official Chinese government narrative and the accounts of Uyghur activists and independent organizations.

Further reading

Leibold J.; Deng D.X. (2015) "Segregated diversity: Uyghur residential patterns in Xinjiang, China", Inside Xinjiang: Space, Place and Power in China’s Muslim Far Northwest, 122-148. Taylor and Francis. DOI: [htttp://doi.org/10.4324/9781315770475-7 10.4324/9781315770475-7]