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  Metros   Delhi  17 Oct 2018  China: Uighur camps are for ‘vocational training’

China: Uighur camps are for ‘vocational training’

THE ASIAN AGE. | SRIDHAR KUMARASWAMI
Published : Oct 17, 2018, 1:58 am IST
Updated : Oct 17, 2018, 1:58 am IST

The “purpose of the programme is to get rid of the environment and soil that breeds terrorism.

(Photo: AFP)
 (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Under intense criticism from the West for its human rights record in its restive Xinjiang region amid Western media reports of thousands of Muslims Uighurs in the north-western province being held in camps, China for the first time has confirmed “launching a vocational education and training programme” in the region.” The “purpose of the programme is to get rid of the environment and soil that breeds terrorism and religious extremism and stop violent terrorist activities from happening”.

Learning of the Mandarin Chinese language and “de-extremisation education” along with knowledge of “Chinese history, culture and national conditions” is among the “main content” of the “lenient” programme which Beijing said has enabled most trainees to “learn from their mistakes”, Beijing said.

China, in a rare admission, also said that “there is still a long way to go for southern Xinjiang to eradicate the environment and soil of terrorism and religious extremism”. It however added that “today’s Xinjiang is not only beautiful but also safe and stable” and that “no matter where they are or at what time of the day, people are no longer afraid of going out, shopping, dining and travelling”.

Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region told the Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency that “Xinjiang has established a training model with professional vocational training institutions as the platform, learning the country’s common language, legal knowledge, vocational skills, along with de-extremisation education, as the main content, with achieving employment as the key direction”.

He added, “Most trainees have been able to reflect on their mistakes and see clearly the essence and harm of terrorism and religious extremism. They have notably enhanced national consciousness, civil awareness, awareness of the rule of law and the sense of community of the Chinese nation.”

On those undergoing these programmes, China said, “In practice, when dealing with those who have been instigated, coerced, or lured into terrorist or extremist activities, or people who only committed minor offences when involved in terrorist and extremist activities, Xinjiang combines punishment with leniency and gives prominence to their rehabilitation and redemption in accordance with the Criminal Law”.

Mr Zakir further said, “The horrific crimes of terrorists not only severely undermined the stable and peaceful order and the atmosphere of solidarity and progress of Xinjiang, ... China has been actively exploring and applying preventive measures in countering terrorism and extremism. Now, Xinjiang is generally stable, with the situation under control and improving.”

Tags: muslims uighurs, uighur camps