Essay Sample on Uighur Terrorism in China and Human Security

Introduction

Uighur terrorism in the Chinese Xinjiang region has been a cause for concern since September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States (Clarke, 2008). This is because of the alleged connection of the region to Islamic movements and insurgent groups in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Heightened diplomatic efforts by the Chinese government have enabled them to have a clue on the possible link between the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), Al Qaeda, and several alleged Uighur terror organizations. Particularly, the classification of the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as a terrorist organization with international reputation tainted the image of the developments happening in Xinjiang over the past two decades (Clarke, 2008). The Chinese government also confirmed that the Uighur organization poses a significant threat to the security of Xinjiang. Given this, the paper sets to discuss the problem of Uighur terrorism in China and human security, and the possible solutions to address the problem.

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Understanding the historical relationship of the Xinjiang state under the current Chinese republic poses a clue on the advent of the phenomenon of terrorism within Xinjiang (Clarke, 2010). The roots of the Uighur separatist violence and terror in Xinjiang can be traced back to the eighteenth century. From the eighteenth century onwards, the Uighur community, as well as other groups, have openly resisted against the republican, communist, and imperial states of the Republic of China (Potter, 2013). The most outstanding factor in the feud is the model of an independent "East Turkestan". The "East Turkestan" precedent is clearly etched in the minds of both Xinjiang's ethnic minority groups and the Chinese state. It happened that the independence movements of Uighur proclaimed two such emerging states at Kashgar in 1933 (Davis, 2008). Another tense proclamation happened in Ili between 1949, which was backed by the Soviet Union. It is safe to state that these historical events have a bearing on the Chinese government's perceptions about Uighur terrorism, and the cause and evolution of Uighur separatism. Factors that have strengthened the Chinese government's stand against Uighur organization include the role of Islam in the group's rebellions and their relationship to Soviet Central Asia.

A positive state of human security is dependent on an area's relative calm as well as the absence of terror (Clarke, 2010). In Xinjiang, the Uighur group has felt neglected in comparison to other communities and states, which have made them revolt by participating in acts of terror. The tendency to portray Uyghurs as victims of cultural tendency at the hands of the Chinese government has been longstanding. This has led the World Uyghur Congress president, Mr. Erkin Alptekin, to speak up on the matter stating that the Chinese wanted to erode their culture by replacing them with their people as colonists, and assimilate the remainder of the community (Clarke, 2008). These among other concerns explain why the area Xianjing is experiencing a lot of terror from the Uighur community.

The first account of related acts of terror-related to the Uighur group was reported in 2002 (Clarke, 2008). Between 1990 and 2001, it is believed that East Turkistan terrorist forces bore the responsibility of over 200 terrorist incidents, which led to the death of 162 people and injuring 440 others. The "terrorist forces" attacked police officers and government operatives, carried out explosions and assassinations. The account of the terrorist-related activities by Uighurs according to the Chinese government records also included establishing secret training bases, committing arson, poisoning, and promoting fear and tension within Xinjiang (Potter, 2013). Conflicting reports have emerged over whether the criminal incidents qualified to be terrorism-related but the Chinese government has maintained that they are related to Uighur terrorism. For instance, Dilbirim Samakova, a Uighur activist and head of Nuzugum Foundation that supported Xinjiang refugees was found murdered on June 9, 2001, a case which the Amnesty International organization described as politically motivated (Clarke, 2008). Another incident occurred in Bishkek, in June 2002, when two armed gunmen shot and murdered a top businessperson named Nurmukhamedov, the Chinese ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, and his driver (Clarke, 2008). The incident was quickly identified as a case of Uighur terrorism by Chinese and Kyrgyz governments that later saw the extradition of the two gunmen to China to face terrorism charges.

Widespread separatist violence and terrorism have remained continuously confined to Xinjiang area in China (Potter, 2013). This has led the Chinese government to increase its security presence and spending towards security within the region. This has resulted in the most militant Uyghur separatists getting forced to move to nearby volatile countries such as Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan (Mackerras, 2014). Other factors leading the restructuring of the Uyghur militia include the NATO war in Afghanistan, China's security crackdown in Xinjiang, and their developing ties with al-Qaida and Taliban groups. The deepening ties of the Uyghur terror groups with international partners are viewed as a strengthening factor and a significant threat to domestic terrorism, which China has been able to avoid thus far (Potter, 2013).

Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks on American soil, then Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened that America would never have peace until they departed their territory (Potter, 2013). The threat is constantly becoming concrete since in 2009 Alqaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) threatened to attack Chinese nationals and other Chinese investments in Algeria in response to the way the Chinese treated Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. In response, the Chinese government advised Citizens living and working in Algeria to be vigilant even as security reinforcements within their establishments were being made. The threat is significant since it highlights the issue of Muslim tolerance in Western China and its relation to the global jihadist movement (Clarke, 2010). The threat also demonstrates that Chinese investment in North Africa and the Middle East are both a liability and grievance and that the linkage between Xinjiang and Chinese overseas investments would not be lost on those who would perpetrate future attacks.

The problem of Uighur terrorism has affected the Chinese people for the past several decades and it is a priority to find lasting solutions to the problem (Nathan & Scobell, 2015). There has been open criticism in the way Chinese officials have handled separatist violence in Xinjiang with some critics accusing the government of human rights abuses. This is because of the excessive use of force when the security forces are conducting search operations. Due to the linkage of Xinjiang to terrorist groups, the area bristles with police, security cameras, military personnel, and checkpoints (Odgaard & Nielson, 2014). Residents are accustomed to regular searches and identity checks as well as the shutdown of mobile and internet communication networks. Moreover, the movement of Xinjiang residents is highly limited, especially during festive periods. Some of these methods are paying off since the area is now experiencing relative calm. The government ought to continue with the described counter-terrorism measures with a view of protecting human rights. Residents should not be harassed or beaten up by security forces as they carry out their sweeping operations.

Despite the concerns towards human rights, the Chinese government has constantly exercised military and authoritarian control over Xinjiang, which has escalated the feud much further (Potter, 2013). In view of this, it is important to find a long-lasting and viable solution to the Uyghur separatist violent incidents. The Uyghur community is a minority population within Xinjiang and has previously accused the Chinese government of trying to erode their culture. Therefore, it is viable if the Chinese government would solve their grievances through political means (Potter, 2013). This would ensure that moderates would get political space by granting them more meaningful autonomy, and in a way separating extremists from the wider Uyghur community. The growing inequality is a challenge affecting the western part of China and Beijing needs to step up its efforts in ensuring equality for all. Moreover, Chinese policies in Xinjiang have been a constant impediment in its desire to become the leading power in Central Asia. There has been significant progress towards the realization of the said goal with respect to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and energy trading but Beijing's negative approach towards minorities has let it down (Odgaard & Nielson, 2014). China's relationship with minorities who share linguistic and cultural similarities with its Central Asian neighbors has been at odds making it appear like a distant foreign power. However, China can boost its image by standing for fairness, equality, and justice. It should also address the grievances by the Uyghur population.

Another important aspect of counterterrorism involves teaching the communities about ways to stay safe and prepared for any imminent attack (Sandler, 2015). Chinese security agencies, firefighters, and other emergency officials can perform random emergency drills in schools and Universities as a way of teaching people how to respond to acts of terror. Preventive measures are superior and should be greatly emphasized as opposed to the counter-measures but in the event of a terrorist attack, citizens should be ready to get over the situation. Terrorist attacks can occur in several ways ranging from car bombings, explosions on buildings, attack public places, and even kidnappings. Nobody can predict the nature of a terrorist attack hence it is necessary to stay alert and vigilant at all times.

A continued joint collaborative effort between the Chinese government and its central Asian neighbors would strengthen the war on terror (Nathan & Scobell, 2015). Joint collaboration means that the countries are able to share military intelligence, human capacity, and technology in the fight against terror. All secret training camps need to be located and destroyed through legal means. The intelligence operatives should also work to identify any cases of terrorism funding and immediately freeze the suspect financial transactions and respective bank accounts. The war on terror is similar to the war on drugs since it requires strong political will. If neglected, terrorist organizations would become so powerful that they would even overthrow the present government. The Chinese government also needs to make it difficult for the Uyghur terror organization to recruiting more members or make the members find it very hard to maintain their commitment (Davis, 2008). Essentially, this serves in significantly reducing the number of new recruits, which would significantly reduce the number of terrorists and terrorist attacks in general.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the paper has described the issue of Uighur terrorism in China and human security, and the possible solutions to solve the problem. It is believed that historical events involving the fight of the Uyghur community towards government suppression have a bearing on the Chinese government's perceptions about Uighur terrorism, and the cause and evolution of Uighur separatism. Factors that have strengthened the Chinese government's stand against Uighur organization include the role of Islam in the group's rebellions and their relationship to Soviet Central Asia. Although critics have come out to defen...