CHINA’S counter-terrorism and de-radicalization efforts in the Xinjiang province are based on an understanding of the ground realities in Xinjiang and throughout the rest of the country. China prioritizes safeguarding the fundamental rights and interests of all ethnic groups in the country. China has worked to explore effective and law-based approaches to counter terrorism and de-radicalization to protect people of all ethnic groups from the scourge of terrorism and extremism, and it has identified successful experiences and effective measures. Safety is a prerequisite for human rights protection and human rights cannot be guaranteed if we fail to combat terrorism.
Terrorist activities were once frequent in Xinjiang, destroying local peace, order, unity and progress, and showing callous disdain for the people’s right to life, health, development and other basic human rights. In the face of terrorist atrocities, the local government has launched preventive and punitive counter measures in accordance with the law and perseveres with deterrence against terrorist forces, maximizing its efforts to protect basic human rights from terrorism and extremism.
No violent or terrorist activities have occurred in Xinjiang for more than two years; the number of criminal and public security cases has fallen significantly, the infiltration of extremism has been curbed and peace and harmony have returned to the society. Recently tourism in Xinjiang has grown rapidly. Tourists from inside and outside China numbered over 200 million, a year-on-year increase of 40 percent; foreign tourists totalled 3.5 million, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent; tourist spending totalled RMB 275 billion, a year-on-year growth of 44 percent.
At the same time, Xinjiang has paid special attention to human rights protection in its counterterrorism effort, preventing any violation of human rights caused by counterterrorist measures. To this end, the local government has enhanced legislation on counterterrorism, ensuring that its counterterrorism activities are within the bounds of the law and that acts of terrorism are punished in accordance with the law. It has made every effort to ensure that its counterterrorist measures do not infringe the basic rights, interests and freedom of local ethnic groups as guaranteed by the law and that normal social order is maintained.
Xinjiang is inhabited by multiple ethnic groups composed of believers in multiple religions. In the course of counterterrorism and de-radicalization, the local government forbids any organization or individual using religion to split the country, spread religious extremism, incite ethnic hatred, undermine ethnic unity, disturb social order, harm citizens’ physical or mental health, hinder the implementation of the country’s administrative, judicial, educational and cultural systems, or harm national security, national interests, public interests and civil rights and interests. It prevents ill-intentioned people from using religion or religious activities to create disorder or commit crimes.
The local government also abides by the policies and stipulations in the Constitution, other state laws and administrative regulations concerning freedom of religious belief. In the course of counterterrorism and de-radicalization, the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have their freedom of religious belief fully protected. Citizens are entitled to choose to be religious believers or non-believers and no organization or individual may force citizens to believe in a religion or not, nor discriminate against believers or non-believers.
Xinjiang attaches equal importance to services and management in addressing religious affairs. The local government has worked to enhance the training of religious staff, expand channels for them to acquire religious knowledge and improve the conditions of venues for religious activities so that the religious sentiments, beliefs and needs of believers are fully respected.
Xinjiang follows the criminal justice policy of balancing compassion and severity and taking the approach of reforming the offenders through education. Terrorists who formerly committed heinous crimes in Xinjiang or were inveterate offenders are being severely punished in accordance with the law so as to protect citizens’ basic human rights from the scourge of terrorism and extremism. Offenders who have committed minor crimes under the influence of religious extremism are being educated, rehabilitated and protected through vocational training, through the learning of standard Chinese language and skills and acquiring knowledge of the law; these people are large in number. The approach to such people is rehabilitation rather than punishment, care instead of rejection.
Maintaining stability and improving standards of living is the top priority of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Happiness is the most important human right. Safeguarding and improving people’s lives contribute to public wellbeing and social harmony and stability. Social stability and better lives promote all-round human development. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang are now leading a prosperous and peaceful life. They pursue a cultured way of life and consciously resist religious extremism. More than ever before, ethnic groups in Xinjiang are united and live in harmony. Popular support for counterterrorism, maintenance of stability and de-radicalization is increasing. After successfully addressing the root causes of extremism and eradicating terrorism in the region, the resilient people of Xinjiang are filled with hope for a wonderfully more harmonious and prosperous future.
—The writer is editor, book ambassador political analyst and author of several books based in Islamabad.
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