Turkish Courts Have Ruled to Extradite Two Uyghurs to China

Turkish courts have ruled to extradite two Uyghurs to China, stating that ‘there is no serious, concrete material evidence proving that they will face persecution upon return to their country.

According to Karar Newspaper journalist Feyza Nur Çalıkoğlu, Istanbul’s 16th and 18th Administrative Courts approved the extradition of the two Uyghurs to China based on the claim that “there is no serious, concrete material evidence that they will be subjected to persecution if extradited to their country.” However, the lawyer representing the two Uyghurs has appealed to the Constitutional Court, arguing that this ruling is in direct contradiction to the Turkish government’s previous commitment that Uyghurs will “never be extradited to China” and that the decision violates international agreements.

Violation of International and Domestic Law

Both Uyghurs, Mahemuti Anayeti and Aierken Abuduwaili, fled China’s genocidal policies in East Turkistan and arrived in Turkey at different times years ago. Speaking to Karar, the lawyer representing Anayeti and Abuduwaili, Abdullah Tıkıç, stated: “The approval of the extradition of Uyghur Turks to their country of origin is a violation of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention Against Torture, and the Geneva Convention.”

Tıkıç also emphasized that the court’s ruling is particularly significant as it sets a legal precedent. He warned that the situation is even more serious given that the administrative court’s decision is final and cannot be appealed through regular legal channels. “The only way to stop these deportations is for the Constitutional Court to issue an injunction,” he added.

Genocide in China Documented by International Reports

The UN, EU, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly reported and documented China’s crackdown on Uyghurs. More than ten countries, including the United States and Canada, have officially recognized China’s policies against Uyghurs as genocide. Additionally, more than 40 countries, including Turkey, have condemned China for human rights violations against Uyghurs. In its official report, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights concluded that China has committed crimes against humanity against Uyghurs.

Despite Turkish officials claiming that ‘we have never extradited Uyghur Turks to China,’ there have been reports of Uyghurs being sent to China, either directly or through third countries, on multiple occasions.