In the last two weeks, more than 13,500 people have joined @XJScholars in demanding the release of Professor Rahile Dawut and the nearly one million Muslims estimated to be held in extra-judicial detention in Western China. Thank you sincerely for your support!

News of this massive human rights violation -- which extends far beyond the walls of the camps into the intimate and every day lives of Uyghurs all over the world -- is quickly spreading. Yesterday, the New York Times announced on its front page: "Anti-Islam Detention Camps in China: Minority Swept Up in Biggest Internment Program Since Mao Era." Human Rights Watch released a detailed 117-page report today that calls on the UN and governments around the world to stand up to China and demand the release of the detainees and an end to the police state in Xinjiang. This week and next, the United Nations Human Rights Council will meet in its regular session, and the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has called for discussion of Xinjiang in light of what she calls "deeply disturbing allegations of large-scale arbitrary detentions of Uighurs and other Muslim communities, in so-called re-education camps across Xinjiang."

People all over the world are truly alarmed by what is happening in Xinjiang. But we are not done until Rahile and every other person is freed from the camps and ordinary Uyghurs are free from constant surveillance and arbitrary arrest. 

We have two actions for you to take today:

1) Please take a moment to share this petition again and encourage a few more of your friends, family, colleagues, and social media connections to sign on.

In turn, we will ensure that your collective concern is communicated to President Xi Jinping, Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, and other regional officials who have the power to #CloseTheCamps. 

2) Please sign this new petition directed at the White House 

This petition makes a simple request*: the US should condemn PRC's arbitrary detentions and human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The US's political and economic power positions it well to speak up when other governments are wary.

In the meantime, we will continue to report on what scholars and others on the ground are learning about the repressive conditions in Western China. We will continue to speak to governments, legislators, reporters, and anyone who will listen about how we must stop China's violation of Uyghurs' rights. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for more information.

Concerned Scholars of Xinjiang   I   @XJScholars

*This petition is not affiliated with @XJScholars