Every year, February 5th marks one of the darkest and most painful chapters in the history of the Uyghur people. The “Ghulja Massacre” was perpetrated by the Chinese government, and terrorized the Uyghur people as one of the most bloody crackdowns in recent history. It cannot disappear from the memory of the Uyghur nation.
Ghulja is not just a city; it is a symbol of Uyghur resilience. It was in Ghulja that Uyghur independence was declared and the East Turkestan Republic was established on November 12, 1944. Because of this spirit of liberty, the city has long been viewed by the Chinese authorities as a sensitive area and a center of resistance.
The tragedy began as a peaceful demonstration led by Abduhelil Abdumejit. Uyghurs took to the streets to voice their deep discontent with oppressive Chinese policies, including the banning of traditional Meshrep cultural gatherings, the prohibition of local sports, the forced transfer of Uyghur youth to mainland China, and the state’s complicity in allowing drug abuse to ravage the region.
What started as a peaceful call for basic human rights ended in a bloodbath. Chinese armed police and soldiers suppressed the protesters using machine guns, fire bombs, and attack dogs. For two weeks, a state of emergency was declared; the city was sealed off from the world, and house-to-house raids led to the arrest of thousands of young Uyghur men.
The cruelty did not end with the arrests. In the dead of winter, prisoners were gathered in open squares on snow and ice. They were forced to stand barefoot while guards sprayed them with icy-cold water. Many suffered severe frostbite, leading to the vicious amputation of their limbs, while others froze to death in those dungeons. The leaders of the demonstration were executed, and many followers remain disappeared or imprisoned to this day.
Today, wherever they are in the world, Uyghurs commemorate the Ghulja Massacre. We grieve for those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and continue to expose China’s crimes. We speak out so that the world never forgets the blood spilled in Ghulja and the enduring struggle of the Uyghur people against ongoing occupation, systemic crimes, and genocide.
We will never forget. We will never stay silent.
Abdurehim Gheni Uyghur