Many of the estimated 50,000 exiled Uyghurs in Turkey, seeking refuge from persecution in China, live in fear of being sent back to face imprisonment and torture. Those who escaped past arrests and internment in China’s “re-education camps” feel particularly vulnerable. Turkey, once a safe haven for Uyghurs, is now seen as a place where arbitrary arrests, deportation threats, and terrorism allegations loom large.
A report by ‘Bitter Winter’ highlighted the plight of Uyghurs without Turkish citizenship, who are no longer assured safety. Recent round-ups, including women and children, have raised concerns. An exiled Uyghur academic, Abduweli Ayup, revealed the detention of 31 Uyghurs by Istanbul’s counter-terrorism police, who were later released without charge following public outcry.
Uyghurs in Turkey face pressure from the Chinese government to collaborate with state proxies, like consulates and embassies. Despite trying to build new lives in Turkey, many Uyghurs now realize they are not as safe as they believed. The fear of being labeled as terrorists by China has created a sense of uncertainty and insecurity among the Uyghur community in Turkey.
