Uyghur Historian Faces Lengthy Sentence Amid China's Suppression of Turkic Culture

Ghojaniyaz Yollugh Tekin, a noted historian in Uyghur studies, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison by Chinese authorities. His arrest highlights the ongoing suppression of Uyghur culture, as China faces accusations of human rights violations against Turkic minorities in Xinjiang, including mass detentions and cultural erasure.

A prominent Uyghur historian, Ghojaniyaz Yollugh Tekin, is sentenced to 17 years in prison due to his scholarly work, reports Radio Free Asia (RFA). Tekin, an educator from Aksu in Xinjiang, focused his research on Uyghur place names, contributing significantly to the understanding of the region's linguistic and cultural history.

His arrest in 2017 came amidst China's extensive crackdown on Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities in the region. According to research by Abduweli Ayup, Tekin's work challenging the Chinese national narrative was a key reason behind his conviction by late 2018. His case underscores the broader human rights issues faced by Uyghur intellectuals.

Known as "Aksu's Turghun Almas" for his contributions, Tekin's situation reflects China's historical censorship experienced by Uyghur scholars. Reports from international entities and human rights groups continue to decry Beijing's policies, likening them to ethnic cleansing strategies, as accusations of genocide and crimes against humanity persist.

(With inputs from agencies.)