Monitoring of Uighurs’ Phones by Chinese Authorities Raises Human Rights Concerns

A recent forensic investigation by Human Rights Watch (HRW) reveals that Chinese authorities are closely monitoring the phones of ethnic minority Uighurs, flagging potential extremism based on the presence of specific multimedia files. The investigation found that possession of the Quran alone is sufficient to trigger a police interrogation. HRW analyzed a master list from a leaked Xinjiang police database, shedding light on the extent of surveillance and its implications.

The list, part of a broader 52GB trove leaked in 2019 but made public recently, identifies 50,000 multimedia files deemed “violent and terrorist” by Chinese authorities. While it includes content from armed groups like ISIL (ISIS), it also encompasses materials related to Uighur identity and the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, along with non-political content such as a Chinese travel show and Islamic readings and songs.

Residents in Xinjiang are required to download monitoring apps like Jingwang Weishi, enabling authorities to scrutinize their phone contents. HRW argues that the analysis of the police database suggests ethnic Muslims are often flagged for religious practices or interests, rather than promoting violent extremism. Of the flagged content, 57 percent was ordinary religious material, with only 9 percent involving violent content and 4 percent calling for violence.

HRW emphasizes that Uighur and Turkic Muslim communities face extensive surveillance as part of the Chinese government’s broader efforts to assimilate cultural, linguistic, and religious differences. This campaign, marked by re-education centers and mass surveillance, has drawn criticism from rights groups. Despite international concerns, Beijing denies human rights abuses in Xinjiang, defending re-education centers as tools to combat extremism and alleviate poverty. The revelations underscore ongoing challenges and human rights implications related to China’s surveillance practices in Xinjiang.

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