Missing

It is widely known that China is most likely the next world superpower. With her developing population, solid economy, and modernization of industry, China has all of the criteria to become the foremost player on the global stage. These facts are unsettling, however, when juxtaposed to China’s continued authoritarian treatment of dissidents.

Last July, Uighurs (an ethnic group who are not Chinese, but have lived in the northwest portion of China for hundreds of years) instigated mass protests and riots against Han (natural born) Chinese. This is because the Han, under direction from the government, encroached on the Uighur’s territory, and insisted that the Uighurs follow the Han way of life. Seeing as Uighurs are completely distinct from the Han Chinese (and detest when they are called Chinese), they took action against the Han in order to remain relatively autonomous. These riots, however, resulted in many deaths and thousands of severe injuries. Under Chinese law, some Uighurs were taken into custody…but over 43 of them have disappeared.

The Chinese authorities refuse to release any information regarding the missing Uighurs, and in some cases assert that they have no idea of their whereabouts. Chinese and international law requires that detained individuals’ families be updated regarding their loved one’s status in the judicial system. This law has not been upheld in the cases of these 43+ Uighurs. In some cases, boys as young as 14 were plucked from their homes, and never heard from again.

Although the arrests may be legal under Chinese law, the families still should be told where their detained family members are…or if they’re even alive. The Chinese government is taking improper, and illegal (according to domestic and international law) action. And it makes me wonder how they will act as a global leader if they simply disregard laws whenever deemed fit. Also, China’s blatant oppression of dissidents makes one question whether or not they should be given global leadership status.

China is still an authoritarian country, and when people are vocally against the communist party or government, harsh punishments are imposed upon them. Last week at the Frankfurt Book Fair (the world’s most prominent book fair), China was the honored guest. Not only were party approved authors present, but exiled authors and civil rights leaders were as well. The juxtaposition of harsh conflicting views overshadowed the entire fair, and was a cause of major contention worldwide.

But, worse yet, this oppression is not a new trend in China. While events such as the 2008 Olympics in Beijing appear to have gone smoothly, throughout the course of the games, the government arrested any demonstrator who appeared to have a view differing from that of the Party. Any individual who publicly complains about restoration shortfalls after a natural disaster may also be arrested or exiled.

China is a great country with huge promise. I hope that before they assume a larger role at the globe’s helm, however, they sort out these domestic problems justly. Sweeping seemingly unpatriotic and contentious people ‘under the carpet’ is not the proper way to deal with criticism, and ultimately only creates more conflict.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/world/asia/22china.html?scp=3&sq=uighur&st=cse

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/world/asia/21china.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=uighur&st=cse