The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) welcomes the reported release in China this week of the founder of an online discussion forum who disappeared for more than a month after riots erupted in Xinjiang Province in early July.
IIham Tohti, who established Uyghur Online at www.uighurbiz.cn and is a professor at the Central National University in Beijing, disappeared from his home in Beijing on July 7.
He had reportedly told friends he had received a “formal notice” from local authorities late on July 7 referring to articles posted that day on Uyghur Online criticising the Chairman of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Regional People’s Government.
According to a report in the Hong Kong-based Ming Pao newspaper, Tohti refused to talk on the phone that evening, saying that some “official personnel” were at his home.
Tohti was reported to have been released by authorities on August 23. No explanation was given for his detention or release.
A friend of Tohti’s told the IFJ that Tohti had been detained by officials at an unknown location. He has been permitted to return to his family subject to the right of authorities to question him at any time, the friend said.
Uyghur Online is reported to be accessible again, after being shut down without explanation in early July. Tohti’s blog remains blocked.
“The IFJ welcomes the release of Ilham Tohti, although there is still no explanation for his detention,” IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said. “We are also pleased to learn that restrictions on Uyghur Online have apparently been lifted.”
“It remains of concern however that authorities may arbitrarily question Tohti at any time. This amounts to harassment and an effort to restrict freedom of expression.
“We urge China’s authorities to fully respect Tohti’s right to freedom of movement and freedom of expression.”
Tohti, 39, set up the website in 2006 as a discussion forum for ethnic Uighurs, who live mostly in Xinjiang. After rioting broke out in the province on July 5, Xinjiang Chairman Nur Bekri alleged the site had fomented violence by spreading rumours.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide