Uyghur Doctor Gulshan Abbas Imprisoned Without Due Process
A panel of UN Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights has expressed serious concerns over the conviction and imprisonment of Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas. They believe she is serving a 20-year sentence since 2019 on terrorism-related charges, without due process and without informing her family of her whereabouts.
The panel, consisting of Mary Lawlor (Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders), Tlaleng Mofokeng (Special Rapporteur on the right to health), and Margaret Satterthwaite (Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers), expressed concern that Abbas' imprisonment may be retaliation for her sister Rushan Abbas' human rights advocacy on behalf of the Uyghur people.
They also highlighted the lack of information provided to Abbas' family regarding her legal situation and whereabouts, denying them the opportunity to visit her or inquire about her health condition. Additionally, they expressed concern over the potential for inadequate detention conditions to contribute to serious harm, including injury or even death.
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention previously issued an opinion determining that Abbas' deprivation of liberty was arbitrary. Former High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also expressed concern about the "widespread arbitrary deprivation of liberty" of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which has separated families and left many unaware of their loved ones' whereabouts.
This situation is particularly concerning for the diaspora community, where there have been allegations of reprisals and intimidation against those seeking information about their family members or expressing concern publicly.
The panel's concerns highlight the need for transparency and due process in the case of Gulshan Abbas, as well as the broader issue of arbitrary detention and human rights violations against Uyghurs in XUAR.