Welcome to the Gulja Vigil Site
On February 5th 1997 a demonstration in Gulja City ended in violence and rioting after Chinese security forces opened fire on the crowd killing several people. The demonstrators were calling for equal rights for the Uighur ethnic people in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China.
Following the massacre many people were detained. Some are still in prison while others have been executed. Many of those detained received no trial while other trials were manifestly unfair.
Amnesty International and others concerned with human rights are calling on the Chinese Government to hold an independent and open investigation into the incident.
On the 5th February every year vigils are held outside Chinese embassies around the world. There is normally a mixture of people present. Some are calling for independence for this region while all would like to see a proper reaction from the authorities for the atrocities that took place in Gulja City in 1997. Please come and join us!
click to see youtube video of Rebiya Kadeer's visit to the UK |
Rebiya Kadeer, visited the UK in October 2007. For a report of her trip visit the 'Thousand Mothers Appeal' page. Find out more about Rebiya Kadeer on the 'Friends of Rebiya Kadeer' page and listen to a powerful extract of one of her talks. |