Marking a Tragic Anniversary: The 2014 Yarkand Massacre Remembered

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) solemnly commemorated the 11th anniversary of the Yarkand massacre, one of the deadliest crackdowns in East Turkistan since the 2009 Urumqi unrest. On July 28, 2014, Chinese security forces brutally quelled a peaceful protest in Yarkand County, leaving a significant number of Uyghur civilians dead.

The violence began on the first day of Eid al-Fitr when police killed a Uyghur family of five during a home search, prompting residents to flee and organise protests against state violence and Ramadan restrictions, according to a WUC report. Instead of addressing grievances, the government responded with lethal force.

Beijing claims the incident was a "premeditated terrorist attack," resulting in 96 deaths, including 59 Uyghurs. However, local sources suggest the actual death toll could be as high as 3,000. In the aftermath, the government enforced an information blackout, cutting off internet and mobile communications to stifle independent investigations.

WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun stated that the Yarkand massacre is notably the most deadly event in recent history, stressing the ongoing denial of justice for families of victims. Chinese counter-terrorism rhetoric has been used to justify systematic repression of the Uyghur population, including mass surveillance and arbitrary detention.

Current conditions in East Turkistan are dire, with religious practices criminalized and independent journalism suppressed. The Yarkand events presaged the genocidal policies now seen in the region. The WUC demands that China disclose the fates of the Yarkand victims and urges international inquiries into the massacre and broader human rights abuses in East Turkistan. (ANI)