Chinese authorities in Xinjiang ask extremists to surrender in 30 days
19 Nov 2018
Authorities in the Hami city in China's far-western Xinjiang region has ordered people who are "poisoned by extremism, terrorism and separatism", following overseas terror groups or act in a conservative Islamic manner, to surrender within 30 days or face action.
Those who surrender within 30 days and confess to their crimes will be treated leniently and might avoid punishment, said a notice posted on the official social media account of the Hami city government.
"All individuals involved in terrorist crimes and poisoned by the 'three evil forces' are urged to surrender themselves to the judicial organs within 30 days and to confess and hand over the facts of your crime," said the Hami city notice.
The notice issued by the municipal "leading small group for stability maintenance" says that actions ranging from being in contact with overseas "terror" groups to conservative Islamic behaviour should prompt individuals to turn themselves in.
The move comes after instances of extremists groups advocating that people live their entire lives in accordance with the Koran, stopped other people from watching television, banned alcohol, smoking and dancing at weddings.
The list also included openly destroying, rejecting or thwarting the government identification system, as well as rejecting government provided housing, subsidies and cigarettes or booze as being "harem" or forbidden.
Those who turn themselves in on time will be treated leniently, and if the information provides a significant clue, then they might avoid all punishment, the notice said.
A report by a United Nations human rights panel had in August, said it had received reports of more than a million Uighurs and other minorities being held in “massive internment camp that is shrouded in secrecy” in Xinjiang.
Aside from the mass detentions, rights groups also say that the Chinese government has significantly raised limitations on everyday religious observances in the region.
Last month, the region's capital Urumqi launched a campaign targeting halal products, like food and toothpaste, which are produced according to Islamic law, in order to prevent what it sees as the incursion of Islam into secular life.
China says it is not enforcing arbitrary detention and political re-education.
Beijing rejected criticism, saying that it protects the religion and culture of minorities in the region and that its security measures are needed to combat the influence of "extremist" groups that incite violence there.