Hundreds of thousands of ethnic minority children have been seized by the Chinese government, detained, and beaten if they speak their native language, according to numerous human rights groups.
These reported violations of children’s rights were explored in a symposium entitled “Uyghur Children in China’s Genocide” on Fri., Oct. 27, from 1-5 p.m. in Goldwin Smith Hall, room 76.
The symposium explored:
what is happening to children victimized by family separation, who are forcibly cut off from family, siblings, language, and culture
why is the Chinese government doing this
what is the nature of the deep traumas the children endure
how can these wounds be remedied, if the genocide is halted tomorrow
Experts, activists, and witnesses, including Uyghurs, gave presentations on these issues, including the experiences of “Indian schools” in the US and Canada. The panelists include:
Rukiye Turdush, independent scholar from East Turkistan
Zumret Dawut, camp survivor from East Turkistan, with her family
Adrian Zenz, Victims of Communism Museum and Memorial Foundation
Magnus Fiskesjö, associate professor of anthropology (A&S)
Jeffrey Palmer (Kiowa), associate professor of performing and media arts (A&S)
Amy Bombay (Anishinaabe from Rainy River First Nations), Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Canada