Ekpar Asat is an Uyghur entrepreneur and philanthropist who was recognized by the U.S. Department of State as an “international leader.” He came to the United States to receive an award and participate in the State Department's premier International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) between February 20, 2016, and March 15, 2016. Immediately after returning from the United States, he was detained by the Chinese authorities, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
 
Mr. Asat is immensely kind, compassionate, and generous. With his tech-savvy skills and love for Uyghur culture, he built the most prominent Uyghur digital media platform, known as Bagdax. Bagdax was named after the iconic Bagdax mountain, which symbolizes strength, courage, and unshakable determination. His platform soon became the most prominent platform for Uyghur audience and he rose to fame quickly. In addition to being a successful businessman, my brother was also a committed and respected philanthropist. Before he was unjustly detained, he gave away half of his earnings to kids with disabilities and to an elderly center. He often raised money to help kids with disabilities, which is a cause that was personal for him due to his close relationship with our cousin, who is hearing-impaired. A few months before his disappearance, my brother was praised as a “rising star” in the tech world. In fact, one month before he came to the U.S., the Chinese government invited him as an “honored guest” representing the private sector to a New Year's Eve gala dinner in 2016.
 
In 2014, he was invited to meet with the U.S. Ambassador to China, Max Backus, and after the meeting, he was nominated as an “international leader” by the U.S. Department of State along with eight Han Chinese.  The same recognition was awarded to the likes of the Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Arden, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the current UN Secretary-General António Guterres, among others. Unfortunately, within weeks after returning from the United States, he was detained by the Chinese authorities in Urumqi, Xinjiang, and was thrown into a concentration camp. Later, he was imprisoned after a secret trial and charged with “inciting ethnic hatred and ethnic discrimination” (which is ironic since credible evidence points to the Chinese government's persecution of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities.) The trumped-up charges against him have no merit. He is facing a 15-year sentence for no other reason than participating the US Department program as an ethnic Uyghur.  Other Han Chinese participated the program, for example, Xie Feng currently serves as the Foreign Ministry’s commissioner in Hong Kong.

I am a Harvard alum, lawyer, advocate, and sister. It breaks my heart that, as I am achieving my American dream, my brother is imprisoned because of his intellectual curiosity and drive to create a purpose-driven business, which led him to be recognized “international leader” by the US Government.  Why is this a crime when an Uyghur is nominated? 
 
I have tried other forms of advocacy to seek my brother’s release, and have come to realize that speaking out and raising awareness is the only way to effect real change. On behalf of my brother, I am appealing to you, the public. Be a light for my brother! Together, we can put an end to this injustice. Please sign this petition, send it to your friends, and above all, speak out about the Chinese government’s horrendous actions in Xinjiang.