consult raw version see edited version

testifying party (* direct submission)

Testimony 1: Behram Sintash, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (son)

Testimony 2*|6|7|8|9|12*: Behram Sintash, an Uyghur-American activist and son of Qurban Mamut. (son)

Testimony 3: Anonymous, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (former neighbor)

Testimony 4: Behram Sintash, as reported by Washington Post. (son)

Testimony 5|11: Abduweli Ayup, a language activist, linguist, and writer, originally from Kashgar but now residing in Norway. (relation unclear)

Testimony 10: @GulnisaMamut, an unverified Twitter account. (niece)

Testimony 13: Local government employee, as reported by Radio Free Asia Uyghur. (from same town/region) Testimony 1: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 2: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 3: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 4: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 5: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 6: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 7: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 8: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 9: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 10: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 11: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 12: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 13: father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband direct third-party
Testimony 14: add father daughter brother sister son mother grandfather grandmother grandson granddaughter uncle aunt nephew niece brother-in-law sister-in-law father-in-law mother-in-law son-in-law daughter-in-law cousin friend colleague former student relative relation unclear from same town/region n/a husband wife the victim lawyer child friends, family, and students great-nephew great-niece former schoolmate cousin once removed friend of relative boyfriend girlfriend friend of friend aunt-in-law acquaintance judge cousin-in-law nephew-in-law niece-in-law uncle-in-law former neighbor stepbrother stepsister stepfather stepmother stepdaughter stepson neighbor of relative detained together former teacher relative of friend relative of teacher sibling grandchild cousin twice removed trial attendee ex-wife great-uncle great-aunt in-law grandmother-in-law grandfather-in-law great-grandmother great-grandfather half-brother half-sister ex-husband add add direct third-party

Update 

Name:    Description:    unverified verified    1 2 3 4 5    Add

about the victim

Qurban Mamut is a renowned literary figure, journalist, editor, and publisher, originally from Kucha County. After graduating from Xinjiang University with a bachelor's in literature in 1976, he would work as a journalist and editor at the Xinjiang People's Radio Station until 1984, after which he went to work for the Xinjiang Cultural Journal (新疆文化杂志) (retiring as editor-in-chief in 2011). He was known for selecting works by the region's most influential writers on the topics of Uyghur culture, history, politics, and social development. After retiring from the XUAR Cultural Bureau (新疆维吾尔自治区文化厅), he'd continue to work as a part-time editor-in-chief at the Xinjiang Science Publishing House.

Address: 84 Tuanjie Road, Broadcasting And Television Bureau Family Courtyard, Tianshan District, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China 830001.

Chinese passport: G32387919. Kurban(Qurban)Mamut,68-year-old, retired.
"Earned a bachelor’s degree in literature from Xinjiang University in 1976 and worked as a journalist and editor for the official Xinjiang People’s Radio Station until 1984. He worked for the Xinjiang Cultural Journal from 1985 until he retired as editor-in-chief in 2011, and was known for selecting works by the region’s most influential writers on Uyghur culture, history, politics and social development for publication." [Testimony 1+3]; My father, 68, graduated from Xinjiang University in 1976, then worked as a reporter and editor at Xinjiang Radio Station from 1976 to 1984, he then worked as Editor-in-Chief at one of the most well-known magazines, Xinjiang Civilization, from 1985 to 2011. He was never a member of the Chinese Communist party. In 2011, he retired at age 61. After he retired, he worked part time as a requested Editor-in-Chief at Xinjiang Science Publishing house. In his more than 40 year career, he made tremendous contributions to Uyghur journalism and culture [Testimony 2]

Testimony 12: Address: 84 Tuanjie Road Broadcasting And Television Bureau Family Dependent Courtyard

Tianshan district, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830001 China

Testimony 12: He retired from 新疆维吾尔自治区文化厅， 新疆文化杂志 (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Bureau of Culture , Xinjiang Culture Magazine) in 2011.

current location

Probably in Urumqi, according to his son. Probably in Urumqi Xinjiang [Testimony 2]

chronology of detention(s)

His son says that he's been detained since December 2017. However, there's also reason to believe that he was detained earlier, in March/April 2017, shortly after visiting his son in the United States. After his return from the US, probably around March or April 2017. Arrest was supposably confirmed at the end of November or the beginning of December 2017. [Testimony 1+3]; Since December 2017 [Testimony 2]

suspected and/or official reason(s) for detention

His son says that there's no justifiable reason for his father to be detained. More pragmatically, the detention may be linked to Mamut visiting his son in the United States or for his identity as part of the Uyghur cultural elite.

According to Abduweli Ayup, he was targeted for being one of the scholars to have signed Memtimin Elyar's 2005 petition for the protection of Uyghur-language education. His detention may be related to him visiting his son in exile in the US in February 2017, but also to his life-time cultural and intellectual activities for the promotion of uyghur culture. [Testimony 1+3]; On reason, There is no justifiable reason for the XUAR and the Chinese government to detain my father. [Testimony 2]

Testimony 11: According to Abduweli Ayup, he was targeted for being one of the scholars to have signed Memtimin Elyar's 2005 petition for the protection of Uyghur-language education.

last reported status

[Presumably] still in detention.

A staff member at the Xinjiang Hall of Public Culture confirmed that the victim was classified as a "detained person", but said she didn't know what kind of detention he was in. Reportedly in a re-education center. [Testimony 1+3]; I don’t have his recent status [Testimony 2]

Testimony 13: A Han Chinese staffer at Xinjiang Hall of Public Culture said she knew of Qurban Mamut and confirmed to RFA that he was classified as a "detained person". She did not know whether he had been sentenced to prison or sent to a concentration camp.

how testifier(s) learned of victim's situation

Behram heard about his father's situation from an acquaintance [presumably coupled with the fact that his father has been incommunicado]. A RFA report also cites the victim's neighbor, now living abroad.

The reason for his arrest as given by Abduweli Ayup is speculative.

[The government staff member who confirmed his detention likely heard of it by virtue of being in the region and having indirect access to this sort of news.] Story reported by Radio Free Asia with testimonies of his son as well as the journalist's neighbor : https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/journalist-10182018151224.html. [Testimony 1+3]; From someone I know. [Testimony 2]

Testimony 13: this is a government worker in the region, and probably has access to more directly information.

additional information

The victim's 66-year-old wife, Aynisa Yaqup, was admitted to the hospital because her heart condition had worsened after Mamut’s arrest (her daughter being the only caretaker). Behram says that he's worried about his father's health, and is worried about his mother and sister in Urumqi.

Mentioned in Abduweli Ayup's op-ed for PEN/Opp: https://www.penopp.org/articles/abduweli-ayup?language_content_entity=en

RFA coverage:
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/journalist-10182018151224.html
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/detained-06092020170643.html

Mention in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/11/03/china-every-day-is-kristallnacht/

This victim is included in the list of prominent detained Uyghurs, available at: shahit.biz/supp/list_003.pdf

Amnesty International urgent action: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/70-year-old-uyghur-editor-held-incommunicado

Amnesty International case info: https://xinjiang.amnesty.org/#case-SR048 His 66-year-old wife, Aynisa Yaqup, has been admitted to the hospital because her heart condition had worsened after Mamut’s arrest. [Testimony 1]; My father is too old to live in a re-education camp. Internment camps are reportedly known for their poor conditions. I worry about my father’s health and I have no clue of his well-being. I also worry about my mother and my sister in Urumqi. I heard that my mother is in bad medical condition after my father’s detainment; and my sister is the only person taking care of her.

The Chinese government has no right to isolate my beautiful family from each other. They have no right to detain my father in an internment camp only because he worked as a journalist for more than 40 years, or visited the United States or has an American son, or for simply being Uyghur. [Testimony 2]

This victim is included in the list of detained Uyghur intellectuals, available at: shahit.biz/supp/list_003.pdf (Testimony 5)

Mention in the Washington Post (Testimony 4): https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/11/03/china-every-day-is-kristallnacht/

Abduweli Ayup's op-ed (Testimony 11): https://www.penopp.org/articles/abduweli-ayup?language_content_entity=en

RFA report confirming his detention (Testimony 13): https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/detained-06092020170643.html

relatives

supplementary materials

entry created on: 2018-10-24

entry last modified on: 2020-07-19

last update from testifier(s): 2021-12-20