consult raw version see edited version

testifying party (* direct submission)

Testimony 1*|4|5|6|7|10|12: Zulhumar Isaac, an ethnic Uyghur and Chinese citizen, currently resides in Sweden with her husband. She graduated from Beijing University in 2011, majoring in journalism, then worked for tech companies in Beijing. (daughter)

Testimony 2: Zumret Isaac, as reported by Apple Daily. (daughter)

Testimony 3: Zulhumar Isaac, as reported by Gene A. Bunin. (daughter)

Testimony 8: Zulhumar Isaac, as reported by South China Morning Post. (daughter)

Testimony 9: Zumret Isaac, as reported by South China Morning Post. (daughter)

Testimony 11: Zulhumar Isaac, as reported by New York Times. (daughter)

Testimony 13: Proof-of-life video, released by an unspecified Chinese media outlet and intended to show that a given individual is "alive and well". 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

Zohre Talip was a Party committee member at the Hami Ethnic and Religious Commission (民宗委), prior to her retirement in late 2017.

Before retirement, she worked as part of the Zhang Chunxian era “visit-benefit-unite” (访惠聚) project. She also served as a village official for the local community, which included things such as providing useful information and helping people get their welfare. She managed to help build a new bridge for the village, with the locals naming the bridge after her. [Testimony 1:] My mother Zöhre Talip(早然木·塔力甫) was taken away in early November, 2018. I noticed her disappearance because she was no longer responding on WeChat. And my father was hesitant in telling about her whereabouts. She was a party committee member at Ethnic and Religious Commission (民宗委) of the city of Qomul before her retirement in late 2017.

My mother used to work in the Zhang Chunxian era “visit-benefit-unite” (访惠聚) project before her retirement. She worked as a village official for the local community: providing useful information, helping people get their welfare, etc. She managed to help build a new bridge for this village, people were so thankful that they named the bridge after her.

[Testimony 11: In the spring of 2009, Zohre was sent to attend a five-month party-cadre training seminar in the southern city of Guangzhou. She was then a director of the bureau of language and script as a midlevel official.]

current location

Presumably at her home in Hami. Qomul/Hami

chronology of detention(s)

Even prior to her detention, she was already under a certain level of pressure [like many in the region], as evidenced by her contacting Zulhumar in the fall of 2017 (when Zulhumar was already living in Sweden) and asking her to send photographic proof of her (Zulhumar) studying there.

She is believed to have been detained and taken for "education" in October-November 2018.

In late March 2019, she was suddenly at home and reachable, following her daughter's publicizing of the detention. She appears to have remained in a sort of soft detention since. November, 2018.

[Testimony 11: Humar believes that her mother was taken to a camp around October 2018 when she stopped answering her messages.]

suspected and/or official reason(s) for detention

Not clear, although her daughter Zumret suggests that it may have been because of Zohre's opposition to doing away with the dual-language education system in Xinjiang. Unknown

[victim's daughter Zumret to Apple Daily (Testimony 2): Perhaps her opposition to the scrapping of “two-language education” system in Xinjiang]

last reported status

She does not appear to be in hard detention, looks better than she did after initially being released, and may have the freedom to partake in certain activities.

Since her release, she has on several occasions tried to pressure her daughter to not speak about their family's situation publicly - in addition to doing so in private communication, she has also denied the media reports about her at a public press conference (https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1181383.shtml), suggesting that she is under a certain amount of pressure from the authorities. [G. A. Bunin (Testimony 3): previously believed to be in detention, but became reachable a day after her daughter called the Hami Daily office asking to talk to her father.

Contact was lost again towards the end of March 2019.]

[Testimony 11: On May 14, Zohre called Humar. “Your dad was just saying — apparently they published a film with Zumret in The South China Morning Post. Who was responsible for this?” She asked.

“That was when you had disappeared,” Humar told her.

“Well, since we’ve told you we were being treated for medical issues, would it not be possible to delete it? Your father saw the video and got so angry that his blood pressure got really high. We wondered what our daughters had done. It didn’t matter that we told you how it was. They published the thing, and now what’s going to become of us?” Zohre started crying. “We’re living well. Your father is working. He has his salary, and every month I’m getting mine. I’ve even sent money to Zumret. The government is, you know, treating us so well. Not a single thing has gone wrong. We told you that we were ill. Can you please just do it? Just think about it.” Her voice grew faint. “What have you done to us?”]

[victim's daughter Zumret to Apple Daily (Testimony 2): under house arrest]

[victim's daughter Humar on Twitter in mid November 2019: at home, has access to phone, gained some weight, partakes in some regular activities]

how testifier(s) learned of victim's situation

The initial detention became clear when Zulhumar lost contact with her mother in October-November 2018. According to Zumret, her father told her about Zohre's detention in a phone call, before being taken away himself later.

Zulhumar also writes that she got calls from cousins and uncles, in which they said that they had been asked to take some money and clothes for her parents, but that they were not allowed to visit them.

That both Zohre and her husband were released from detention was confirmed when Zulhumar video chatted with them, within 1-2 days of trying to call her father's office while he was allegedly still detained. Since then, Zulhumar has been in occasional communication with them. Zohre has "explained" her months-long disappearance to Zulhumar as being due to "illness". I got calls from cousins and uncles. They were asked to take some money and clothes for my parents, but they were not allowed to visit them.

[victim's daughter Zumret to Apple Daily (Testimony 2): Her father told about his wife’s detention in a call, before being taken away himself a few weeks later.]

additional information

Zulhumar interview on the Foreign Policy podcast:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/01/uighur-first-person-humar-isaac/

Zulhumar's Medium posts about her mother (English and Mandarin):
https://medium.com/@humarisaac/my-mother-was-caught-in-between-7700c11dccda
https://link.medium.com/KTALUzfKIU

Also mentioned in: https://matters.news/@platero/湖玛的爸爸妈妈又消失了-zdpuAtW64hZkJEH8yA4jR92KZJXJsNjggBUAF73dmW5d1cVVX

Apple Daily coverage: https://uat-xinjiangcamps.appledaily.com/尋親者/祖麗米熱．伊沙克/全文

Featured in the New York Times Magazine: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/magazine/uyghur-muslims-china.html

The Global Times coverage of a Xinjiang press conference at which Zohre denied the reports about her: https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1181383.shtml My interview on Foreign Policy podcast [Testimony 4]:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/03/01/uighur-first-person-humar-isaac/
Posts on medium [Testimony 5]:
https://medium.com/@humarisaac/my-mother-was-caught-in-between-7700c11dccda
https://link.medium.com/KTALUzfKIU

[also mentioned in: https://matters.news/@platero/湖玛的爸爸妈妈又消失了-zdpuAtW64hZkJEH8yA4jR92KZJXJsNjggBUAF73dmW5d1cVVX]

[coverage in Apple Daily: https://uat-xinjiangcamps.appledaily.com/尋親者/祖麗米熱．伊沙克/全文]

[New York Times Magazine coverage (Testimony 11) (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/29/magazine/uyghur-muslims-china.html): One day in the fall of 2017, Zohre called her with a strange request. She needed Humar to take photos of herself in and around landmarks in Uppsala to show their neighborhood authori­ties that Humar was studying there. Humar was packing for a vacation to Berlin and asked if she could do it later. “No,” Zohre said. She sounded as if she was about to cry. “Send me the photos as soon as possible,” she pleaded. Humar rushed to take them. When she didn’t hear anything about it again, she brushed it off.]

[Global Times coverage of a XJ press conference (https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1181383.shtml) has the victim addressing state-media reporters and denying her daughter's allegations.]

relatives

supplementary materials

entry created on: 2019-03-07

entry last modified on: 2020-05-26

last update from testifier(s): 2021-02-13