Uyghur butcher served 7 years in jail for urging friends not to drink alcohol or smoke
ij-reportika.com
A Uyghur butcher serving a seven-year prison sentence in southern Xinjiang for advising friends not to drink alcohol or smoke at a gathering has been released alive and returned to his family, sources with knowledge of the situation said. It marks the first time that one of the roughly 100 jailed Uyghur residents from Xaneriq...

Cross posted from: https://feddit.de/post/11367068

“The reason for arrest is that he stopped others from smoking and drinking,” said the officer. “He is not a religious figure.”

Abstaining from alcohol is one of 75 different activities and behaviors identified by the Chinese government as a sign of potential religious extremism. It is listed in brochures distributed in some parts of Xinjiang to educate the public on how to identify extreme religious activities.

It is also a cause for jailing Uyghurs, who as Muslims abstain from drinking alcohol, as part of a larger effort by Beijing to eradicate Uyghur culture and religion.

Initially, the Uyghur was “educated” in a camp for two years, but in 2019, he was sentenced and transferred to prison, they said.

Xaneriq village consists of 23 smaller communities with a total population of 31,000 people, averaging around 1,400 people in each community.

About 800 people live in Tawaqchi community, of which more than 100 were in prison, with some serving indefinite sentences in internment camps, an Uyghur expatriate said.

[Edit typo.]

  • 4dpuzzle@beehaw.orgEnglish
    31·
    7 months ago

    Abstaining from alcohol is one of 75 different activities and behaviors identified by the Chinese government as a sign of potential religious extremism. It is listed in brochures distributed in some parts of Xinjiang to educate the public on how to identify extreme religious activities.

    What next? Breathing air?

    • TehPers@beehaw.orgEnglish
      20·
      7 months ago

      You’re not wrong. All religious extremists are, in fact, air breathers. They’re also generally water drinkers.

      As someone who doesn’t drink, this has reinforced my preference to wait until things improve (hopefully they will eventually…) before considering a trip there.

    • delirious_owl@discuss.online
      4·
      6 months ago

      Are you referring to the quote from the SCOTUS justice recently?

      The US is currently banning sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, and one of the justices asked if we’re going to ban breathing next.

    • gregorum@lemm.eeEnglish
      13·
      7 months ago

      Probably something more along the lines of being tortured and worked to near-death until they comply with their captors.

  • Megaman_EXE@beehaw.org
    9·
    7 months ago

    7 years for no reason. Damn. I hope they can find freedom and live a good rest of their life. What an absolute shame

  • theUnlikely@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    2·
    7 months ago

    More evidence that the people in power there have the intelligence of a sack of shit. There are several advantages for a country when fewer of its residents consume alcohol. Health-wise, a reduction in alcohol consumption can lead to fewer alcohol-related illnesses and injuries, which would alleviate some of the burden on the healthcare system. Economically, individuals could potentially save money typically spent on alcohol, which could contribute to better financial health for many. A decrease in alcohol consumption would also lead to lower rates of alcohol-related accidents and crimes.

    • 4dpuzzle@beehaw.orgEnglish
      1·
      7 months ago

      It’s not the lack of intelligence. They are targeting the non-Muslim population with brainwashing. This is similar to how the Nazis used to persecute the Jews. Label any of their beliefs and customs as evil. After a while, the other people are overcome by hatred and they simply forget that it’s nonsense.