Uighurs in UK being forced to spy on each other

Uighurs in UK being forced to spy on each other as their families back home effectively held hostage by China

• Sixty per cent of British Uighurs have face harassment from Chinese authorities 
• Read more: University safe spaces are ‘mad’ and ‘oxymoronic’ says Lord Patten 

Chinese agents are harassing Uighur Muslims living in Britain, a Foreign Office-funded report has found.

The Uighurs are being forced to spy on each other with their families back home effectively held hostage. 

Those targeted are ordered to take pictures at pro-Uighur rallies, while others have been told to get work at Amnesty International and report back, to create paranoia and distrust in their community.

Up to 60 per cent of British Uighurs have faced harassment from the Chinese authorities, the report concludes. 

They are informed that their families will be harmed if they fail to comply, with some given photos and videos of their loved ones surrounded by police officers.

Those who do not comply are also told they will be sent to detention if they return to China (a police officer attempts to detain a protester at a demonstration in support of the Uighurs in Hong Kong in 2019)

Chinese agents are harassing Uighur Muslims living in Britain, a Foreign Office-funded report has found (file image)

Those who do not comply are also told they will be sent to detention if they return to China.

The study – conducted by an academic at the University of Sheffield – interviewed Uighurs in Britain, Turkey and Thailand. 

Report author Dr David Tobin said: ‘People’s families are being held as hostages in China. The goal is to break the Uighurs’ ability to have connections with the outside world and with their homeland.’

He added that victims are spurred to send videos to police by being told they will not face trouble if they go back home.

Aziz Isa Elkun, 52, who lives in Enfield, North London, was targeted by Chinese security agents after he told CNN they demolished his father’s tomb in Xinjiang for looking Islamic.

He received calls and WhatsApp messages with photos of his 80-year-old mother attached, asking him to call a number on the message.

He does not know where his mother is now.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We continually assess potential threats and take protection of individuals’ rights and safety in the UK very seriously.’

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