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Analysts: Extradition Treaty Between Turkey, China Endangers Uighur Refugees

Asim Kashgarian

   Since the 1950s, thousands of Uighurs fleeing persecution in China have
   found sanctuary in Turkey, where they share a common linguistic,
   cultural and religious heritage with the Turks. Some experts say the
   Uighur community there could be in jeopardy, though, after a recent
   agreement was reached between the two countries.

   An estimated 50,000 Uighurs are believed to reside in Turkey,
   constitutingthe largest Uighur refugee community in the world.

   Uighur diaspora activists cite a significant shift since December 26,
   however, when the [1]Standing Committee of Chinese People's Congress
   ratified an extradition accord with Turkey. The treaty dates to May
   2017, when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Beijing to
   attend the Belt and Road Initiative Forum.

   "If we look at China's systematic assimilationist and genocidal
   policies in East Turkistan, the dangers that this agreement may bring
   will be severe," said Erkin Ekrem, director of Ankara-based Uighur
   Research Institute, using the Uighur preferred "East Turkistan" term
   for China's Xinjiang region.

References

   1. http://www.npc.gov.cn/npc/c30834/202012/8750af8c7f324d249aa3fbf24401b2d6.shtml

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