PEN International is seriously concerned for the well-being of Uyghur writer, academic and Uyghur PEN member, Ilham Tohti, who was formally charged with “splittism” on 20 February 2014, amid a crackdown on Chinese Uyghurs critical of the government. His wife received formal notification of the charges on 25 February. Dozens of writers have joined American PEN in calling for his release.
Ilham Tohti has been a target of frequent harassment by Chinese authorities for his outspoken views on Uyghur rights since he established Uyghur Online in 2006
Writer, economist, and Uyghur PEN Member Ilham Tohti was arrested on January 15, 2014 for his peaceful expression in defense of human rights of the Uyghur people. If convicted, he could face life in prison, or even the death penalty. Tohti’s arrest came shortly after the Chinese government’s pledge to make “maintaining social stability” the primary strategic goal within the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which PEN believes is part of a crackdown on dissent and criticism of Chinese government policies by the Uyghur people. Join PEN and writers including Teju Cole, Salman Rushdie, Francine Prose, Nicole Krauss, and more than 50 others by taking action to tell Chinese authorities to release Ilham Tohti now. To sign PEN’s letter click here.
