Beijing, July 08: The Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) have expressed deep concern over the deadly ethnic unrest and ”the use of disproportionate force” that has killed more than 156 people and injured more than 1,000 in Chinas Muslim dominated western Xinjiang region.
The two groups called on the Chinese government to take action to prevent recurrence of such violence and punish those who were trying to eliminate the Muslim minority population in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
”Violence against civilians and the killing of any innocent person, Muslim or non-Muslim, are highly deplorable,” Saleh Al-Wohaibi, WAMY secretary-general, said yesterday. He said he was trying to obtain information about the extent of loss of life and property following the unrest.
He, however, voiced concern over the Chinese crackdown, in which people have been shot dead and some crushed by armoured vehicles. A local Chinese worker who has friends and relatives in the region said the real cause of the continuing violence was the authorities failure to punish perpetrators of a previous attack in which several Uighur Muslims were killed.
Referring to the killings in Xinjiang and the continuing unrest, an OIC spokesperson expressed concern at the incident and the ”use of disproportionate force.”
In a statement, the OIC called on Beijing to ”carry out prompt, effective and transparent investigations of this grave incident and bring those responsible to quick justice and take all possible measures to prevent its recurrence.” Saudi citizens reacted with horror to the ongoing violence against fellow Muslims in China.
”We Muslims are one. We share their sufferings. And we are obliged to stand by and assist our brothers in China,” said Dr Ahmed Badghaish, a 30-year-old doctor.
”The situation is still very vague. It is not clear what stirred up the unrest,” he said.
In a statement to the media, the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh said the violence was ”organised and orchestrated by ethnic separatist elements abroad.” ”To protect peoples life and property, the government of the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region speedily deployed police at those places where the situation was grave. The violent crimes involving beating, smashing, looting and arson have inflicted heavy loss of life and property,” it said.
”China is unequivocally against ethnic separatism, violence and terrorism … Unity among people of all ethnic groups, social harmony and stability represent the highest interests of the Chinese nation including the 21 million people of Xinjiang,” it added.
–Agencies