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On the 29th anniversary of the Ghulja Incident, also known as the Yining Incident, memories of one of the most consequential episodes in modern Xinjiang history continue to resonate deeply among Uyghurs and international human rights observers. What began as localized protests in early February 1997 escalated into a violent confrontation that left lasting political, social, and human consequences—many of which are still unfolding today. Background: A Region Under Pressure Throughout the 1990s, China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region faced increasing repression against its Uyghur population. Ethnic, cultural, and political grievances were met not with dialogue, but with intensified state control, surveillance, and violent crackdowns. The Chinese government responded to unrest and militant incidents—including those attributed to the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM)—with the “Strike Hard” campaign in 1996, which targeted not only alleged militants but also ordinary Uyghurs practicing their religion, speaking their language, or expressing cultural identity. As part of this campaign, Uyghur cultural and social traditions were criminalized. The meshrep—a centuries-old communal gathering central to Uyghur life, combining cultural expression, moral discussion, and conflict resolution—was prohibited. In Ghulja (Uyghur: Ghulja; Chinese: Yining), the capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, such bans became a flashpoint of frustration and resistance, reflecting the broader systemic suppression of Uyghur identity across Xinjiang. The Incident: February 1997 On February 5, 1997, demonstrations erupted in Yining following restrictions on meshrep assemblies. According to multiple accounts, Uyghur demonstrators marched through the city chanting religious and political slogans, including calls for greater autonomy. What reportedly began with several dozen participants rapidly expanded, drawing hundreds and eventually around a thousand people. By midday, the situation escalated. Rioting broke out in parts of the city, with reports of clashes between protesters, police, and local residents. Shops and vehicles were damaged, and authorities deployed force to disperse the crowd, using batons, water cannons, and tear gas. The official death toll released by Chinese authorities listed 10 fatalities, including one police officer, with 198 people injured, among them members of the security forces. However, Uyghur exile groups and human rights organizations disputed these figures, claiming that as many as 200 people may have been killed. These sharply divergent accounts have never been independently reconciled, and access to verifiable information remains limited. Aftermath: Arrests, Exile, and Long-Term Repression In the days and years following the incident, Xinjiang witnessed an intensified security crackdown. Exile sources reported that more than 1,600 people were arrested, with many receiving long prison sentences. Families of those detained alleged widespread collective punishment, surveillance, and intimidation. Some individuals connected to the unrest fled China, eventually ending up in Afghanistan and Pakistan. During the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, several were detained by U.S. forces and later transferred to the Guantánamo Bay detention camp. Reports later confirmed that Chinese officials participated in interrogations of Uyghur detainees held there. The Ghulja Incident also marked a turning point in Uyghur political mobilization abroad. Rebiya Kadeer, who witnessed the events, later emerged as a prominent international advocate for Uyghur rights and went on to lead the World Uyghur Congress. Legacy and Continuing Impact According to Radio Free Asia and other monitoring groups, individuals arrested for their alleged involvement in the Ghulja protests—or even those tangentially connected, including witnesses and relatives—have faced renewed persecution in recent years. Since 2017, many are believed to have been sent to mass internment camps under China’s expanded “de-extremification” policies. Nearly three decades later, the Ghulja Incident remains a symbolic and substantive fault line in the broader Xinjiang conflict. For the Chinese government, it is framed within a narrative of counterterrorism and stability maintenance. For Uyghurs and rights advocates, it stands as an early warning of systemic repression that would later intensify on an unprecedented scale. Conclusion As the anniversary of the Ghulja Incident is observed, the events of February 1997 continue to raise unresolved questions about accountability, proportionality, and historical truth. In the absence of independent investigations and open access to records, the full human cost of Ghulja remains contested. What is clear, however, is that the incident marked a defining moment—one whose repercussions continue to shape the lives of millions in Xinjiang today. Remembering Ghulja is not only an act of historical reflection, but also a reminder of the enduring consequences when cultural expression, political dissent, and state power collide without meaningful dialogue or transparency.

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Investigative Journalism Reportika © March 2022 by Ij-Reportika is licensed under CC BY 4.0

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Investigative Journalism Reportika © March 2022 by Ij-Reportika is licensed under CC BY 4.0