PEN Norway Reiterates Its Demand: Set Ilham Tohti Free
September 23, 2024, marks ten years since PEN Norway’s honorary member, renowned Uyghur economist, and human rights advocate Ilham Tohti, was unjustly sentenced to life imprisonment by Chinese authorities on dubious charges. Norsk PEN remains deeply concerned by the treatment Ilham Tohti has endured over the past decade, including the denial of his right to a fair trial, access to medical care, and communication with his family, lawyers, and friends.
Tohti was sentenced to life imprisonment on September 23, 2014, after an unfair trial. His only “crime” was peacefully advocating for dialogue and understanding between the Uyghur ethnic group and China’s majority Han population. The charges against him were rooted in his writings and teachings, which exposed systemic discrimination and the oppression of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Since his arrest, Ilham Tohti’s whereabouts remain unknown, leaving his family and supporters in the dark about his wellbeing.
On this sombre anniversary, Norsk PEN once again renews its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Ilham Tohti and all others unjustly detained in China on fabricated charges. We urge the international community to continue demanding justice and human rights for Ilham Tohti and the Uyghur people.
