Rebiya Kadeer's trip to the UK in Ocotber 2007

In brief Rebiya Kadeer spent a week here talking first on Monday to members of the public at Amnesty International's Human Rights Action Centre in London. There was also input on the panel from members of Amnesty International including an expert on human rights in China. The press were able to interview Rebiya after the talk. Earlier in the day she had spoken at a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy, visited the Office of Tibet in London and had meetings with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

On the second day of her UK trip Rebiya met with Open Democracy and then travelled to Cardiff where, as guest of Alun Davies (Welsh Assembly Member) she addressed an audience of about 60 people at the Welsh National Assembly. Again she moved and inspired her audience.

Wednesday saw Rebiya meeting at Parliament with an influential group including an MP, MEP, several members of the House of Lords and also specialists in the human rights situation in China. As a result of this meeting an Early Day Motion has been tabled in parliament asking for justice for her children. Also a more general question about Uighur human rights has been asked in the House of Lords. In the afternoon Rebiya had a meeting at the 'China Desk' of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and there has been some positive feedback from this. In the evening Rebiya was invited for dinner and an interview by the Islamic Human Rights Commission.

A five hour train ride to Edinburgh took up much of Thursday but this period of inactivity was more than compensated for by an audience of 120 in the University's beautiful Playfair Library Hall hosted by Scotland for Amnesty International's program director.

The next day Rebiya and her husband, Sikike Rouzi, and translator Maimtimin Aila toured the city of Edinburgh on a sightseeing bus with members of the University's Amnesty International society to the great enjoyment of all involved. Then back to London by train

On Saturday Rebiya, Sidike, Mamtimin and some others joined the impressive demonstration in support of the people of Burma. She must feel a great affinity with Aun San Suu Kyi. The Uighur community in London then held a reception for her with Uighur food and a Uighur band. As the elected president of the World Uyghur Congress, Rebiya urged Uighurs in the United Kingdom to take seriously the struggle for the human rights of the oppressed Uighurs in their homeland. Members of the Uzbek BBC World Service were there to record the event. Later a dinner was held as a farewell and tribute to Rebiya.

After a week of unceasing activity aimed at tackling the extremely serious situation in her homeland Rebiya, Sidike and Maimtimin (who had worked extremely hard translating all week) went early on Sunday to Heathrow to take their flights home.