【arabnews.com】 OIC, WAMY concerned over Uighur carnage

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OIC, WAMY concerned over Uighur carnage
http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=124358&d=8&m=7&y=2009
Wednesday 8 July 2009    Ghazanfar Ali Khan





HUNTING UIGHURS: Han Chinese roam an Urumqi street on Tuesday, thirsting for revenge. (AFP)




RIYADH: The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) have expressed deep concerns at the deadly ethnic unrest and “the use of disproportionate force” that has killed more than 156 people and injured more than 1,000 in China’s western Xinjiang region.

The two groups called on the Chinese government to take action to prevent a recurrence of such violence and punish those who are trying to eliminate the Muslim minority population in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.

“Violence against civilians and the killing of any innocent person, Muslim or non-Muslim, are highly deplorable,” Saleh Al-Wohaibi, WAMY secretary-general, said on Tuesday. He said he was trying to obtain information about the extent of loss of life and property following the unrest.

“Unfortunately, we are neither allowed to visit the region nor has WAMY any presence in any part of China ... this makes our job more difficult,” said Al-Wohaibi.

He, however, voiced concerns over the Chinese crackdown, in which people have been shot dead and some crushed by armored vehicles. Asked about any plan to send WAMY’s personnel to the region or to ensure its presence in China in the near future, the WAMY chief said “it is not an easy place to work.”

A local Chinese worker who has friends and relatives in the region said the real cause of the continuing violence was the authorities’ failure to punish perpetrators of a previous attack in which several Uighurs were killed.

He accused Chinese officials and policemen of using tear gas, automatic rifles and armored vehicles to disperse Uighur protesters, who are mainly Muslim.

“There is little explanation for how so many people died in the violence,” he added.

Referring to the killings in Xinjiang and the continuing unrest, an OIC spokesperson expressed concern at the incident and the “use of disproportionate force.”

In a statement, the OIC called on Beijing to “carry out prompt, effective and transparent investigations of this grave incident and bring those responsible to quick justice and take all possible measures to prevent its recurrence.”

The OIC also said it is ready to extend all assistance to create a climate of peace in the region.

Saudi citizens reacted with horror to the ongoing violence against fellow Muslims in China.

“We Muslims are one. We share their sufferings. And we are obliged to stand by and assist our brothers in China,” said Dr. Ahmed Badghaish, a 30-year-old medical doctor. “The situation is still very vague. It is not clear what stirred up the unrest.”

Waheed Hashim, a political scientist at King Abdulaziz University, said there is little the Muslim world can do but “to engage in bilateral talks.” “Muslim countries are going to regard the losses as collateral damage,” said Hashim. “China is an authoritarian regime that will use brutal force to clamp down on protesters.”

In a statement to the media, the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh said the violence was “organized and orchestrated by ethnic separatist elements abroad.”

It added, “To protect people’s life and property, the government of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region speedily deployed police at those places where the situation was grave. The violent crimes involving beating, smashing, looting and arson have inflicted heavy loss of life and property.”

“China is unequivocally against ethnic separatism, violence and terrorism ... Unity among people of all ethnic groups, social harmony and stability represent the highest interests of the Chinese nation including the 21 million people of Xinjiang,” it said.

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