China Defends Re-Education Centres in Xinjiang

Beijing: China on Tuesday said that re-education camps in Xinjiang, in which human rights organizations say close to one million ethnic Uyghurs are being held, were actually part of vocational training programmes aimed at eradicating terrorism and religious extremism. Shohrat Zakir, chairman of the Government of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, said the camps - whose existence China had until recently denied - were opened under the directive of Chinese President Xi Jinping to fight against the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism, and separatism, reports Efe news.

“Xinjiang has launched a vocational education and training program according to the law. Its purpose is to get rid of the environment and soil that breeds terrorism and religious extremism and stop violent terrorist activities from happening,” Zakir said. This is the first time that the Chinese authorities have publicly discussed their vision of these re-education camps amid widespread criticism from the international community.

The regional head of government added that the residents of Xinjiang, most of whom are Muslims, “often have difficulties in finding employment due to limited vocational skills” which has made them “vulnerable to the instigation and coercion of terrorism and extremism”. For that reason, Xinjiang authorities have provided them with “free vocational training,” he said. (IANS)