PRESS ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jim Geheran
Initiatives for China
202.290.1423
508.494.5682 (cell)
jgeheran@initiativesforchina.org
Initiatives for China President Condemns Violence Against
Uyghur Workers At Chinese Toy Factory
The following statement by Dr. Yang Jianli, Harvard Fellow and President, Initiatives for China, condemns the violence that resulted in deaths and injuries to innocent workers. Dr. Yang also condemns the ongoing campaign of hatred and mistrust conducted against the Uyghur people by the Chinese government that is behind this violence.
Washington, DC June 30, 2009.
I am both saddened and outraged by the reports of mob violence conducted by my fellow citizens against innocent Uyghur people at a factory in Guangdong Province on June 26. My sadness turns numb as I watched the videos of young men mindlessly and mercilessly beating young Uyghur women.
I apologize to my many Uyghur friends that these disgusting actions were perpetrated by my Han Chinese brothers and sisters. Ethnic violence can never be condoned and it must be vigorously condemned and prosecuted wherever and whenever it occurs.
My sadness turns to outrage as I realize that the government of China, rather than protecting its citizens, has instigated and encouraged this violence through its longstanding campaign of hatred and vilification against the Uyghur people. Even as this violence unfolded, credible reports reveal that local police took more than two hours to arrive at the scene of the attacks. Furthermore, reports of the violence initially posted on the local government website, have been removed.
I call on all peace loving peoples to vigorously and publicly condemn this violence and the divisive policies of the Chinese government that have demonized the Uyghur people and enabled this violence to occur.
Yang Jianli
Harvard Fellow
President, Initiatives for China
