Imprisoned Uyghur Scholar Commemorated on His 56th Birthday

Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, imprisoned by China since 2013, turns 56. Advocates call for his immediate release and urgent medical care.

On 25 October, democracy advocates and organizations around the world mark the 56th birthday of Prof. Ilham Tohti, the prominent Uyghur scholar who has been unjustly imprisoned by Chinese authorities since 2013. Tohti, a Sakharov Prize laureate and a steadfast advocate for Uyghur rights, was detained on baseless, so-called “separatism” charges by the Chinese government, highlighting the injustice of his imprisonment. He has not been able to see his family for over a decade.

The Ilham Tohti Initiative commemorated his birthday by emphasizing the urgent need for the immediate and unconditional release of Tohti and other similarly unjustly detained Uyghur intellectuals. The Initiative also called on European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and Kaja Kallas, to ensure Tohti is brought to an EU country for necessary medical treatment.

The Uyghur American Association also commemorated Ilham Tohti on his 56th birthday, stated: “Ilham’s courage and vision continue to inspire not only Uyghurs, but all who stand for freedom, truth, and human dignity. We demand his immediate release and an end to all human rights violations against Uyghurs.”

On the occasion of his 56th birthday, Tohti’s daughter Jewher Ilham shared her feelings: “It has been 12 years since we were able to celebrate this special day together. I pray to see him again, teaching, spending time with friends, and celebrating birthdays. I ask God for his health, strength, and the courage to keep fighting against injustice.”

Human Rights Watch China researcher Yalkun Uluyol stated on X: “Today marks the 56th birthday of Ilham Tohti, a prominent Uyghur scholar who is imprisoned for nothing but being a peaceful critic of Beijing. The Chinese government should free him, along with hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs serving unjust sentences, immediately and unconditionally.”

Since April 2017, at least 338 Uyghur intellectuals—including teachers, scholars, artists, journalists, and students—have been interned, imprisoned, or forcibly disappeared in China’s intensified campaign against Uyghur culture. Among them are 21 staff members from Xinjiang University, alongside numerous writers, poets, musicians, and media professionals. Several have died in custody or shortly after release, though the exact numbers remain unknown due to the secrecy surrounding the camps.

According to the Uyghur Human Rights Project, the persecution of intellectuals is part of a systematic attempt to erase Uyghur identity and culture. Prominent academics like Halmurat Ghopur, formerly of Xinjiang Medical University, have been sentenced for “planning to create an independent country,” despite being internationally recognized scientists. Well-known poets, writers, and media figures, such as Chimengul Awut, have also been targeted, demonstrating the scale of China’s cultural suppression.

The Initiative urged international universities, scholars, and governments to suspend cooperation with Chinese state institutions until the camps are closed, victims are compensated, and perpetrators held accountable. Countries where detained Uyghur scholars have studied, taught, or conducted research are called upon to press China diplomatically for proof of life and immediate release.

Ilham Tohti’s unjust imprisonment, along with the detention of hundreds of other Uyghur intellectuals, underscores the ongoing assault on Uyghur culture and knowledge. His birthday serves as both a commemoration of his life and a call for urgent action from democracy defenders worldwide.