The Yining youth protest against the Chinese government on February 5, 1997 was bloodily suppressed. Since then, the "February 5 Yining Massacre" has been recorded by Uighurs abroad. The bloody incident left tragic memories for the Uyghurs who lived through those times.
The situation that led to the Yining massacre on February 5, the Chinese government's bloody crackdown on the protests, and the events that continued in Yining after this crackdown are still in the dark for Uyghur youth under the age of 30.
Ms. Gulshan Abdurqadir, who currently lives in Canada, was working as a reporter at Ili TV station when the bloody incident occurred in February 1997 in Yining. He published the first part of his book "February 5 Archives" in 2020 based on his records and the materials he collected after going abroad. In 2021, the second part of this book will be published in Toronto, providing valuable historical information about this historical event to the Uyghurs abroad.
In an interview with our radio station, Ms. Gulshan Abdurqadir pointed out that the "February 5 Yining Massacre" in 1997 was the revelation of the genocidal oppression of Chinese Uighurs.
It turns out that in order to combat drugs and AIDS, which were rampant among the youth of Yining in those years, the youth of Yining organized themselves and formed "Mashraf" groups and potbull teams. But Yining youth cheer groups and soccer teams were soon banned by the Chinese government. The Chinese authorities' abduction of Uyghur children and women to Chinese cities, their silence on the proliferation of drugs, and their failure to take any measures have provoked the people of Yining.
Ms. Gulshan said about the situation of the protest on February 5, 1997. More than 200 young people from Abdurkhelil Abdurmijit's group took to the streets of Yining on February 5 and started a peaceful protest. By the time the protest was violently suppressed that evening, the number of protesters had increased to more than 1,000 with the continuous addition of Uyghur youth. After the protest was suppressed, youths from all the leading groups in Yining were abducted en masse. If youths from other Mashrafe groups also participated in the protest, the number of protesters on that day may increase to 10,000.
Mrs. Gulshan Abdurqadir also mentioned several armed resistance movements that took place in Yining in 1997-1998 after the February 5 protest of Yining youth was suppressed.
He emphasized that these protests were later called the "February 5th Massacre" or the "February 5th Revolution". He called the "February 5th Yining incident" an important part of the Uighurs' armed struggle against China.
A scene from "February 5 Yining incident". A peaceful protest by Yining youth is blocked by Chinese armed forces February 5, 1997. Yining.
A scene from "February 5 Yining incident". A peaceful protest by Yining youth is blocked by Chinese armed forces February 5, 1997. Yining.
Mr. Nurmamet Musabai, a Uyghur activist in the United States, who witnessed the massacre in those years, also gave an account.
He said that the Chinese government was very concerned about the protest of the Uyghur youth in Yining, and used police, armed police, tear gas and incendiary weapons to suppress the protest.
According to the information released about the protest, the Chinese authorities imposed martial law in Yining for two weeks and abducted thousands of innocent Uighurs from house to house. On February 5, hundreds of Uyghur youths were gathered in an open square, forced to walk barefoot on thick snow, and had their limbs frozen by spraying water with high-pressure hoses. Those with frostbite had their limbs amputated. Abdurkhelil Abdurmidjit, Sulei Selai and other youth leaders of the Mashrafe groups were sentenced to death. The number of people sentenced to life imprisonment and prison sentences of more than 10 years has increased to hundreds.
Mr. Nurmamet Musabai said, "February 5 Yining Massacre" is part of the genocide that Uyghurs have suffered for years, and this incident is a proof that Uyghurs' struggle against the Chinese government has never stopped.
He said that although this year has been twenty-seven years since the February 5 Yining Massacre, the Chinese authorities have not revealed the details of the massacre until now. The Chinese government has tried to attribute the incident to "international terrorist acts" in order to discredit Uighurs' legitimate protests.
Mr. Nurmamet stressed that as a nation that is experiencing genocide, Uyghurs should not forget the bloody events like "February 5th Yining Massacre" and should fully show their true face to the international community.
Thailand issued arrest warrants for 18 people, including the owner of the Kawthaung Mihao Island hotel
Thailand issued arrest warrants for 18 people, including the owner of the Kawthaung Mihao Island hotel
On February 1, 2024, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of Thailand was inspecting the homes of those who had been issued arrest warrants.
Thai media reported that 18 people, including U Kyaw Lwin, owner of the Grand Andaman Hotel in Kawthaung, Tanintharyi, which is close to the military, were issued arrest warrants and their assets were confiscated.
An arrest warrant was issued on February 1, and 27 locations in Bangkok and Ranong were raided by the Thai Special Investigation Team.
luxury cars Assets including gold and silver have been confiscated and some suspects have been arrested, according to Thai news reports.
A Burmese national living in Ranong told RFA that he had seen news that arrest warrants had been issued for 18 people, including U Kyaw Lwin.
"I heard that warrants were issued for 18 people, including U Kyaw Lwin. I don't know if it belongs to U Kyaw Lwin or his brother. I heard that they seized it. U Kyaw Lwin has not been arrested yet."
According to the findings of the Thai Special Investigation Team, the 18 people who were issued arrest warrants have been involved in money laundering through online gambling and tax evasion through oil exports.
U Kyaw Lwin is a Thai citizen, and he is involved in the importation of fuel including the Grand Andaman Hotel in Kawthaung Mihao Island. Kawthaung area electricity distribution business, Casino circles, Kawthaung residents also said that they own ice machines and fishing boats.
RFA is still in contact with the Grand Andaman Hotel regarding this news.
In addition, in Ranong city, factories, He said there are many businesses including garages. It is not yet known how many Myanmar nationals are among the 18 people who were arrested.
U Kyaw Lwin tried to operate a coal-fired power plant in Kawthaung Township under the name of Than Phyo Thu Company during U Thein Sein's administration, but he stopped because of opposition, some local residents said.