US Representative Michele Taylor Joins Call for Information on Detained Uyghur Doctor Gulshan Abbas
Geneva, Switzerland, August 6: Michele Taylor, the US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), joined a panel of human rights experts on Monday to demand information on the status of Uyghur doctor Gulshan Abbas, who was detained by China.
The panel, which includes independent human rights experts, is calling for updates on Dr. Abbas, who was reportedly detained after her sister criticized Chinese authorities’ treatment of the Uyghurs. Taylor posted on ‘X’ about joining the call for the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to provide an update on Dr. Abbas.
In June, the UN panel had already demanded information on Dr. Abbas, who is believed to be serving a 20-year sentence since 2019 on terrorism-related charges. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, highlighted the lack of information on Dr. Abbas’ imprisonment, evidence, and health condition.
Dr. Abbas was detained in September 2018, but her family was not informed about her arrest, charges, or trial until 2020. In December 2020, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that Dr. Abbas was jailed for participating in a terrorist organization and other related charges. However, it is believed that her detention was in retaliation for her sister Rushan Abbas’ criticism of China’s treatment of Uyghurs.
The UN report also noted a pattern of intimidation and reprisals against family members of Uyghurs in exile who engage in advocacy related to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Doubts Revealed
US Representative -: A US Representative is a person who works in the government of the United States to help make laws and represent the people.
Michele Taylor -: Michele Taylor is a person who works for the United States at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
UNHRC -: UNHRC stands for United Nations Human Rights Council. It is a group of countries that work together to protect people’s rights around the world.
Uyghur -: Uyghurs are a group of people who mostly live in China. They have their own language and culture.
Gulshan Abbas -: Gulshan Abbas is a doctor from the Uyghur community who has been put in prison in China.
detained -: Detained means being kept in a place, like a prison, and not allowed to leave.
human rights experts -: Human rights experts are people who know a lot about the basic rights and freedoms that everyone should have.
imprisoned -: Imprisoned means being put in jail or prison.
criticized -: Criticized means saying that something is wrong or bad.
treatment of Uyghurs -: Treatment of Uyghurs refers to how the Chinese government is behaving towards the Uyghur people, which many say is unfair and harsh.
status -: Status means the current situation or condition of someone or something.
charges -: Charges are official accusations that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
terrorism-related charges -: Terrorism-related charges are accusations that someone has done something related to terrorism, which is using violence to scare people for political reasons.